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Mice Eradicated: Island Ecosystems Roar Back to Life
23 Aug
Summary
- Mice were eradicated from Antipodes Island in 2018.
- Native bird populations doubled after mice removal.
- Operation cost millions and took years of monitoring.
In 2018, New Zealand concluded a significant operation that eradicated an estimated 200,000 mice from Antipodes Island. This invasive pest had severely impacted the island's ecosystem by consuming invertebrates and plant seeds, and competing with native birds for food. The mice also preyed upon seabird eggs and chicks, posing a threat to species like albatrosses.
The "Million Dollar Mouse" campaign, a collaborative effort, utilized helicopters to spread toxic bait across the island in the winter of 2016. Following the baiting, extensive monitoring over two breeding seasons and a three-week survey in 2018, involving tracking tunnels and detection dogs, confirmed the successful removal of all mice.
Subsequent surveys over six years revealed a remarkable ecological recovery. Native bird populations, such as the Antipodes Island pipit and snipe, more than doubled in number. This recovery, published in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology, demonstrates that ecosystem damage from invasive species can be reversed.
This achievement is a key component of New Zealand's Predator Free 2050 Strategy, with ongoing efforts to ensure pest-free subantarctic islands. The successful eradication on Antipodes Island provides valuable insights for global island restoration projects.
