---
title: "Another shearwater island is declared free of rats following a successful eradication campaign"
---

# Another shearwater island is declared free of rats following a successful eradication campaign

Taranga Island, part of the part of the [Hen & Chicken](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hen_and_Chicken_Islands)Island Group off the Whangarei coast of New Zealand’s North Island was declared free of rodents last month ([click here](http://www.doc.govt.nz/about-doc/news/media-releases/rodent-eradication-successful-on-taranga-hen-island/)).

 The island supports breeding populations of [Fluttering](http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/fluttering-shearwater) *Puffinus gavia* and [Little](http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/little-shearwater)*P. assimilis* Shearwaters, as well as of [Pycroft’s Petrel](http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/pycrofts-petrel) *Pterodroma pycrofti*.  “Monitoring has just been completed now that two years have passed since the aerial application of bait [in May 2011].

 No rodent sign was recorded, which confirms they have been eradicated.”

 The rodent species eradicated was the Pacific or Polynesian Rat or [Kiore](http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/about-doc/concessions-and-permits/conservation-revealed/kiore-pacific-rat-polynesian-rat-lowres.pdf) *Rattus exulans*.

 4.7-km2 Taranga or Hen Island in the [Hen & Chicken Islands Nature Reserve](http://www.protectedplanet.net/sites/304023), is a strict 'no landing zone' to protect its fauna and flora.

 [Click here](http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/restoration-projects/taranga-hen-island-restoration-project/) to read more about the eradication project.

 ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Shearwaters/fluttering_shearwater.jpg)

 Fluttering Shearwater

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 August 2013*