Conservationists are preparing the mass extermination of a quickly-growing group of mice that has been consuming its way through a distant island’s seabird population.
The rodents were accidentally brought onto Marion Island, an uninhabited South African territory in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica, more than two centuries ago.
Since then, and in part due to warming temperatures as the result of climate change, they have multiplied rapidly and even it seems developed an appetite for seabirds, thereby threatening other species on the island.
The proposed extermination involves the use of helicopters to drop hundreds of tonnes of poison over the island’s 115-square mile area, to preserve the ‘unique biodiversity’ of the local ecosystem.
This includes more than 30 bird species, including the albatross, with an impressive wingspan of more than 10 feet.
Experts caution that even the survival of a single pregnant mouse would render the project pointless, given their prolific breeding ability.
The species first arrived on the island in the early 1800s, having stowed away on seal hunter ships.
Dr Anton Wolfaardt, manager of the Mouse-Free Marion project, said: ‘They are probably one of the most successful animals in the world. They’ve got to all sorts of places.
‘[Climate change has seen] their breeding season extended, and this has resulted in a massive increase in the densities of mice [on the island].’
Wolfaardt adds that his team estimates there are roughly a million mice currently on Marion Island, many of them currently feeding on both adult seabirds and chicks taking shelter in nests.
These birds have not yet developed sufficient defence mechanisms against the mouse population, meaning that as many as 19 bird species may disappear within the next 50 years if action is not soon taken.
Dr Wolfaardt said: ‘This incredibly important island as a haven for seabirds has a very tenuous future because of the impacts of mice.’
It’s planned that between four and six helicopters will be used to drop as much as 550 tonnes of rodenticide across the island, which it is not expected will cause any harm to avian species living there.
Dr Wolfaardt added: ‘This really is an ecological restoration project.
‘It’s one of those rare conservation opportunities where you solve once and for all a conservation threat.’
.
