Rodent Control on the Phoenix and Line Islands

A team headed by New Zealander Ray Pierce are on board the RV Bounty Bay en route for the Phoenix Islands (Kiribati) in the central Pacific with the goal of eradicating introduced rats that threaten 18-19 species of nesting seabirds including Phoenix Petrel Pterodroma alba, which is classified by the ICUN Red List as Endangered in large part because of vulnerability to predation by introduced rats and cats.

Three coral atolls (Mckean, Rawaki and Birnie) being targeted in this phase of the Pacific Invasives Initiative project form part of the 'Phoenix Islands Protected Area' (PIPA). Encompassing 8 atolls, PIPA was founded as collaboration between the Government of Kiribati, the New England Aquarium and Conservation International. Asian Rats Rattus tanezumi are the main problem on McKean (-3.6°, -174.133333°) and at thought to have arrived only recently, following the wreck a Korean fishing trawler. As the result, Blue Noddy Procelsterna cerulea no longer breeds on the island.

Population estimates for Phoenix Petrel are confused but probably do not exceed 30,000 spread across the Phoenix, Marquesas and Pitcairn Chains. The Phoenix Islands also provide important nesting grounds for Polynesian Storm-Petrel Nesofregetta fuliginosa, Blue Noddy and Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel.

More updates from the 2008 Western Pacific Odyssey

Could this be the seabirding equivalent of the moonlandings? The world watching with baited breath? It's Day 21 of the 2008 Western Pacific Odyssey and the expedition has reached Chuuk an island group in the southwestern Pacific (7 deg, 0 min, 0 sec N, 152 deg , 0 min, 0 sec E) with many spectacular bird and marine mammal sightings under their belt. Photos of New Zealand Storm-Petrel, Polynesian Storm-Petrel and Beck's Petrel have been posted on the WildWings web site.

Click here for the latest from the 2008 WPO