Archived News

The ambitious programme to eradicate the introduced rats and mice on South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* in the South Atlantic is continuing well on track.

The latest issue (No. 11) of the habitat restoration project's newsletter for July reports on a field survey that has found that the Thatcher Peninsula, poison-baited during Phase One last year, continues to be apparently rodent-free following the placement of "chew sticks" coated with peanut butter.  Other news is of the appointment of the four-member helicopter pilot team (again to include the legendary Peter Garden) and plans to obtain a third helicopter for Phase 2 - when bait will be dropped over the remainder of the island during 2013 and 2014.

Wandering Albatross breeding at South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)*
Photograph by Anton Wolfaardt

Many tonnes of poison bait are still to be shipped to the island; once again to be manufactured in the United States.  Lastly, the newsletter makes a plea for funding through its "sponsor a hectare scheme".  A worthy cause indeed.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 August 2012

*A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United 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.