Here’s a story about probably the most remote special place we could find – Henderson Island. It’s part of the Pitcairn group and is an island with a bounty of wildlife.
Preventing extinction is a fundamental cornerstone of what we do here at the RSPB – the consequence of the impact we are having on the species and habitats that share the planet with us can be severe.
Henderson Island is home to a small range of species that are found nowhere else in addition it hosts important breeding seabird populations yet even on such a remote island, they are at extreme threat. The island has been invaded by Pacific rats which are gorging themselves on up to 25,000 young seabirds a year (you can watch a video here – but do we warned it is not pleasant viewing).
The four species of land bird that are uniquely found on Henderson Island are being out-competed by the rats. The solution is simple – the rats, brought by Polynesians settling the island, must be cleared. The task is urgent as already four bird species have been lost – and it is also a costly undertaking given the scale of the project and it’s remote location.
Funding is crucial – and the announcement made by Environment minister Caroline Spelman, at the recent Convention on Biological Diversity conference held in Nagoya, Japan, of a funding commitment of £200,000 is most welcome and signals a vital commitment to the UK’s responsibilities on this remote UK Overseas Territory.
The future of the Henderson reed warbler, Henderson crake, Henderson lorikeet and Henderson fruit dove are looking brighter and the Henderson petrels and the other seabirds are spared a gruesome fate.
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