Home / Environment / Campbell Island's Rat Wipeout: Wildlife Reclaims Paradise
Campbell Island's Rat Wipeout: Wildlife Reclaims Paradise
11 Aug
Summary
- Island's Norway rat population estimated at 200,000 before eradication.
- Helicopters and GPS used to distribute 120 tonnes of poisoned bait.
- Campbell Island declared rat-free in 2003, allowing native species to return.
Motu Ihupuku, known as Campbell Island, has a dramatic history of human impact and introduced species. Norway rats, arriving in the 19th century, decimated native bird populations that had no natural defenses. By the early 2000s, the rat population was estimated at 200,000 across the island's 11,300 hectares.
A critical turning point arrived in 2001 with a large-scale eradication effort by the New Zealand Department of Conservation. A dedicated team used helicopters and GPS technology to distribute approximately 120 tonnes of poisoned bait island-wide. This intensive operation, conducted during the challenging winter months, successfully eliminated the rats.
Campbell Island was declared rat-free in 2003. The removal of this major predator has paved the way for ecological recovery. Native species, including the Campbell Island snipe and Campbell teal, have begun to recolonize the island. Researchers confirmed breeding snipe populations in 2006, marking a significant comeback for the species.
