The subantarctic island, 860 km to the southeast of Stewart Island/Rakiura, is home to a range of endemic bird species including the Antipodes parakeet/kākāriki, several species of albatross and petrel, and penguins such as the rock-hopper penguin. However, mice had posed a major threat to the wildlife, including eating albatross eggs, ever since they were accidentally introduced via shipwreck or sealers in what the Department of Conservation believes to be in the 1890s.
Following the launch of Predator Free 2050, the Department of Conservation raised $1 million in partnership with WWF-New Zealand, the Morgan Foundation, and Island Conservation to eradicate the mice. Passionate Kiwis also made a significant contribution via donations to a public campaign. WWF-New Zealand was proud to provide $100,000 to this ambitious and bold operation to restore the biodiversity of this beautiful island.
In 2016, work began with scientists dropping 65 tonnes of rodent bait over 2000ha via helicopter. Two years later, a 10-person monitoring team returned with rodent detection dogs to look for any remaining mice. Following a thorough search, scientists declared the Island group predator-free. This was a significant win due to the complex nature of the task in such a remote and wild environment in the sub-Antarctic. Ten years later, this conservation project is considered a major success story.
To this day, WWF-New Zealand continues to champion predator eradication work to help protect and restore Aotearoa New Zealand’s biodiversity. We support local conservation groups in partnership with the Tindall Foundation via our Community Conservation Fund.