Archived News

Still no rats seen after the poison bait drop on South Georgia/Islas Georgias del Sur

The latest issue of the Newsletter of the South Georgia Habitat Restoration Project* (No. 8 of September 2011) reports further good news of the lack of signs of rats after this year's poison-bait drop over part of the island:  "...what we do know is that no rats or rat tracks have yet been seen, even though snow has been on the ground for several weeks, so the omens are looking increasingly good."

The newsletter also reports on report production and fund-raising (and a plan for a third helicopter) for Phase Two of the restoration project, as well as on eradication efforts conducted this year at several other seabird islands around the World.  Non-target mortality of birds during Phase One is to be assessed to see what lessons can be learnt for Phase Two.

Wandring Albatross on Prion Island with South Georgia/Islas Georgias del Sur in the background
Photograph by Sally Poncet

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 September 2011

*A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the Unite ad Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.

The Agreement on the
Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels

ACAP is a multilateral agreement which seeks to conserve listed albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters by coordinating international activity to mitigate known threats to their populations.

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