Newsletter #2, August 2009

Contents ISLANDS iN FOCUS: Australia .............................................................................................................. 2 Update on prioritisation of high conservation status offshore islands..................................................... 2 A new Threat Abatement Plan to reduce the impacts of exotic rodents ................................................. 2 Caring For our Country grants awarded to island projects ..................................................................... 3 Montague Island in New South Wales declared rodent free................................................................... 4 Indigenous ant–trapping program discovers ginger ants on remote islands........................................... 5 Christmas Island collapse....................................................................................................................... 5 Goat eradication on Kangaroo Island ..................................................................................................... 7 Success of rabbit eradication on Phillip Island in South Pacific.............................................................. 7 New PhD projects on introduced frogs and lizards on Lord Howe Island ............................................... 8 ISLANDS iN FOCUS: International.........................................................................................................9 Rangitoto and Motutapu pest eradication ............................................................................................... 9 Eradicating alien plants on Gough Island, a World Heritage Site ......................................................... 10 Natural recolonisation of Raoul Island following predator removal ....................................................... 11 Rat Island free of rats after 229 years .................................................................................................. 12 Review of rodenticides for sustained control ........................................................................................ 12 Evidence for regular ongoing introductions of mosquito disease vectors into the Galápagos Islands .12 Restoration of globally important seabird colonies in the Pacific .......................................................... 13 Survey of invasive plants on island archipelagos ................................................................................. 13 Gulls and figs benefit black rats on a Mediterranean island ................................................................. 13 Global Islands Partnership (GLISPA) ................................................................................................... 15 Regional initiatives for invasive species action in the Pacific................................................................ 16 ‘Invasive Species International’: A program to support pest management ........................................... 17 Santa Cruz pig eradication ................................................................................................................... 18 IUCN Island Initiative Mailing List ......................................................................................................... 19 Hawaii Conservation Conference talks now available online................................................................ 19 UPCOMING EVENTS...........................................................................................................................22 Call for islandNet documents and images ...........................................................................................22  Funding support from:

1

ISLANDS iN FOCUS: Australia

Update on prioritisation of high conservation status offshore islands As mentioned in our last issue, in March 2009 the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) contracted Ecosure Pty Ltd (http://www.ecosure.com.au) to undertake an assessment of the conservation value of Australia’s offshore islands. Ecosure assessed key island biodiversity, comprising threatened and migratory/marine species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and/or listed under state and territory legislation. The assessment provided a priority list of 100 high-conservation status islands (of 200 hectares or more in area). Profiles were compiled for these 100 priority islands to summarise their geographical context, additional ecological and environmental values, management issues, biosecurity risks and island-specific recommendations for pest management. Biodiversity value was assessed by considering threatened species, listing status and species presence. The vertebrate pests and impacts of species-specific ferals were also considered.

The priority islands ranged in area from 202 to 578,577 hectares and ranged from less than 0.1 km to 1500 km offshore. Of the 100 islands selected:

• 26 are in Queensland • 23 are in Western Australia • 19 are in the Northern Territory • 15 are in Tasmania • 11 are in Victoria • 5 are in South Australia • 1 is in NSW (Lord Howe Island).

The final report provides:

• a priority list and profiles of the 100 islands, indicating the top 50 and lower 50 qualifying islands

• a list of additional islands that were fully evaluated, but did not make the priority 100 list

• a list of smaller islands (< 200 ha) that should be examined more closely

• overall recommendations to help guide future DEWHA investment.

This assessment will help guide investment decisions for vertebrate pest management on Australia’s offshore islands. Ecosure’s report ‘Prioritisation of High Conservation Status of Offshore Islands’ will soon be available from the DEWHA website

A new Threat Abatement Plan to reduce the impacts of exotic rodents Human dispersal and colonisation over the last few millennia has spread four species of Eurasian rodents to many of the world’s islands. These rodents are: ship, or black, rats (Rattus rattus); Norway, or brown, rats (R. norvegicus); Pacific rats (R. exulans); and house mice (Mus musculus). Together with other exotic pests, they are a major threat to native biodiversity on islands. Australian islands have been no exception, especially

since European colonisation. Exotic rodents, particularly ship rats and perhaps mice, have been a key (and often the critical) cause of extinction, extirpation (local population loss) and decline of many native species, adverse changes to island ecosystems, as well as economic damage to island peoples’ livelihoods and potentially to their health. The presence of rodents on islands also precludes many positive options to restore island values, and their presence on mainland Australia and

2

elsewhere presents an ongoing risk to biodiversity. For Australian islands not currently invaded there is also a high risk. Managing the threat from exotic rodents to island biodiversity therefore requires in situ management, by eradication or sustained control on invaded islands, reduction of the risk that rodent-free islands will be invaded, and/or timely reaction to invasions when quarantine is breached.

In 2006 the Australian Government listed exotic rodents on islands as a key threatening process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and initiated the development of a threat abatement plan for rats and mice on islands less than 100,000 hectares in area. The final plan is now complete; released on 3 July 2009. It has three main objectives, to:

• eradicate exotic rodents from high-priority islands

• mitigate the impacts of exotic rodents on biodiversity values on high-priority islands where they cannot be eradicated

• prevent the invasion of island currently free of exotic rodents.

This threat abatement plan is accompanied by a background document that outlines scientific knowledge on the nature of the threat, and current and prospective approaches to managing the threat. Both documents are available from the DEWHA website

Caring For our Country grants awarded to island projects There were three successful island projects funded under the Caring for our Country 2009–10 Business Plan competitive grants round announced in early July 2009:

1. Western Australia: The eradication of exotic rodents from several WA islands with significant conservation values Granted to Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation ($890,000). This project will eradicate introduced house mice and rats from seven high-conservation value islands off the WA coast over a four-year period. The chosen islands are: Adele (R.exulans), Sunday (R.rattus and R.exulans), Faure (Mus), Three Bays (Mus), Direction (cocos- R.rattus), Long (R.rattus) and Dirk Hartog (search for R.rattus).

Where non-target issues are present, appropriate bait stations will be developed and

deployed. The eradication programs will be supported by short- and longer- term monitoring programs, and education programs and quarantine protocols will be developed to ensure islands remain free of introduced rodents.

2. Queensland: Eradication of Pacific rats on Maer Island, Torres Strait Granted to The University of Queensland ($294,900). This project aims to eradicate exotic Pacific rats from Maer Island, Torres Strait, over three years to protect threatened species on the island. Baiting will be conducted to eradicate rats on the island by Indigenous rangers in collaboration with the University of Queensland scientists. Pilot baiting trials will be used to determine and improve the efficacy of bait station in species-specific delivery to Pacific rats.

Rat with bait (image Dept Conservation, New Zealand)

3

3. Northern Territory: Eradication of ship rats from Truant Island Granted to Marthakal Homelands Resource Centre ($282,493). This project aims to eradicate exotic ship rats from Truant Island, NT, over three years to protect native wildlife including threatened species on the island. The eradication will be conducted by Gumurr-

Marthakal Indigenous rangers in collaboration with the NT Government and University of Queensland scientists. Pilot baiting trials will be used to improve the efficacy of baiting station in species-specific delivery. The rangers will conduct a community-based engagement program to enhance project outcomes.

Conservation policy issues in Oceania A recent paper published in Conservation Biology comprehensively reviews the literature on major biodiversity-threatening processes in Oceania. Oceania encompasses Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, New Zealand and Polynesia. It contains six out of 39 of the world’s hotspots of diversity, but has a sad record of extinctions, particularly birds on islands and mammals. Habitat loss and degradation, invasive species, and overexploitation are the main causes of these extinctions. For instance, invasive species, particularly vertebrates and vascular plants, have caused three quarters of all terrestrial vertebrate extinctions on oceanic islands and continue to threaten terrestrial species. This study reviews literature covering six processes: habitat loss and degradation, invasive species, climate change, overexploitation, pollution and disease. For each of these threats, a set of conservation principles is recommended. For invasive species, their policy recommendations include:

• avoiding deliberate introduction of unsuitable exotic species (balancing risks and benefits, and implementing appropriate biosecurity measures)

• cost-effectively controlling exotic incursions (including biological control and gene-pool manipulation, and eradications on islands)

• instituting effective ballast water regulations.

The authors emphasise the urgent need to deal with the impacts on biodiversity of significantly increasing numbers of people in the region. They note that there are considerable differences in resources for conservation, including people and scientific information. Not surprisingly, many of the island states have limited resources or expertise. Australia and New Zealand are far better equipped to deal with conservation threats, but nonetheless have significant challenges to overcome. Climate change in particular will present a major challenge for Oceania. Effective policies and on-the-ground action will be needed to prevent further extinctions. For the full article, see Kingsford et al 2009, Major conservation policy issues for biodiversity in Oceania, Conservation Biology 23(4):834–840. Abstract available online.

Montague Island in New South Wales declared rodent free The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service says all rabbits and mice have been removed from Montague Island, off Narooma in New South Wales. An extensive aerial baiting program on the island will be followed up with quarantine procedures to stop rodents re-entering and breeding. While future rabbit incursions should be relatively easy to

avoid, preventing mice and rats will need continual effort. Bait stations will be placed everywhere that gear is brought onto the island, including in the kitchens, the lighthouse, equipment sheds and down at the wharf where people sit to watch the penguin parade. [posted on ABC News June 24]

4

Indigenous ant–trapping program discovers ginger ants on remote islands Indigenous rangers on Elcho Island and Groote Eylandt, just off the Northern Territory coastline, have been the first to discover ginger ants (Solenopsis geminate) in their communities, while carrying out surveillance for the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). Native to tropical America, but widespread throughout the tropics including Asia and the Pacific, the ginger ant is also known to be in the Tiwi Islands, Darwin and Katherine and was eradicated from Kakadu

National Park a few years ago. These are the first sightings of the ant in these more remote regions. Ginger ants are a serious environmental, agricultural and human health concern. They are closely related to the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. [AQIS newsletter, May 2009]

Christmas Island collapse Nowhere in Australia is ecological collapse so evident as on Christmas Island. In recent years all of the island’s native reptile species — three skinks and two geckoes — and the two surviving mammal species (two bats) have seriously declined. The Christmas Island shrew (Crocidura trichura), blind snake (Typhlops exocoeti) and Lister’s gecko (Lepidodactylus listeri) appear to be extinct, having joined two rat species (Rattus macleari, R. nativitatis) that vanished early in the nineteenth century. Native reptiles are now very difficult to find and the endemic pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus murrayi) faces imminent extinction. This is despite most of the island being a national park.

Christmas Island has been subject to major conservation efforts in recent years, but most of the focus has been on the yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes), an invasive species that took over large areas of the island, forming vast supercolonies occupying up to 787 hectares. The ants killed millions of the island’s endemic and iconic red crabs (Gecarcoidea natalis), and were thought to pose a serious threat to birds, although this was probably overstated. A large baiting program reduced ant densities across the island but the ants remain a major concern. But the recent declines of reptiles and the pipistrelle cannot be attributed simply to ants, because they have disappeared from some areas never colonised by ants. It should also be mentioned that seven plant species are also considered extinct for reasons unrelated to ants. The Australian Government will invest $1.5 million to begin the ‘rescue’ of Christmas Island’s ecosystem, including:

• an island-wide biodiversity survey • an attempt to capture the last remaining

pipistrelle bats for captive breeding • a captive breeding program for the

blue-tailed and forest skinks • aerial baiting of yellow crazy ants • enhancing the protection of migrating

red crabs. Christmas Island red crab (image: Wikipedia)

5

6

An expert working group was formed by in February 2009 to focus on the plight of the pipistrelle, but this group broadened its brief by investigating the plight of all declining species on the island. The working group has recently produced an interim report that pulls no punches:

“The principal finding of the working group is that the extremely high biodiversity values of Christmas Island are in a perilous state. The cause is the intrinsic vulnerability of Christmas Island as an oceanic island to the direct threats posed to biodiversity by a succession of human-related introductions of non-indigenous species and their ecological consequences. It is of concern that the lack of effective quarantine to prevent further introductions may exacerbate the decline in the future.”

This is the most definitive statement yet made identifying invasive species as the cause of Christmas Island’s environmental problems. The pests thought to be doing most harm include yellow crazy ants, the giant centipede (Scolopendra morsitans), wolf snake (Lycodon aulicus capucinus), Asian house (barking) gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), and scale insects that feed crazy ants. The emphasis in the report on giant centipedes is very welcome. Biologist Charles Andrews recorded the arrival of these Asian centipedes on the island early in the twentieth century and they have since become abundant. Anyone entering the rainforest at night can see them scuttling over the ground and climbing trees. The working group postulates that crazy ants, by reducing numbers of red crabs, facilitated a population explosion of centipedes, and these poisonous predators are probably attacking lizards and pipistrelles resting at night. The 2004-09 Recovery Plan for the Christmas Island Pipistrelle did not mention centipedes but they are now considered a major threat. This situation reflects the lack of precedent anywhere else in the world for exotic centipedes posing a major conservation threat. The working group also suggests a role for Fibronil, the poison used to control ants, in reducing insect prey for pipistrelles. The ants occupy such large areas that vast numbers of baits have been distributed.

The report includes many recommendations focused on invasive species and biosecurity. It proposes the eradication from the island of black rats and feral cats, and calls for development of techniques to reduce giant centipede numbers. It calls for an overhaul of quarantine on the island to bring it up to a standard commensurate with the island’s biodiversity values, and notes that quarantine facilities are currently inadequate (there are no fumigation or washdown facilities). Another recommendation is that “Potential sleeper species of both exotic plants and animals be identified and eradication be conducted for those identified as having high threat to the island’s biodiversity”. There is also a call to sample disease (including parasite) levels in exotic plants and animals present on the island. The situation on Christmas Island is likely to worsen before it gets better. Recommendations made by the working group are very welcome, but the cost of implementing them will be high, and there is no guarantee that the island’s biodiversity values can be restored. Further ant baiting is planned for September. A rescue mission to capture the last remaining bats is also underway. As the group notes, “the conservation problems on Christmas Island are pervasive, chronic and increasing and, unfortunately, will not have simple solutions”. The key question is whether crazy ant numbers can be reduced by introducing biological control agents to attack the scale insects they rely on for food. Despite all the control work on crazy ants, there has been no significant recruitment of red crabs since the late 1980s. It seems this is partly because recruitment only occurs in especially favourable years. An increase in crab numbers is the key to restoring ecological health by reducing numbers of centipedes, rats, giant African snails, and certain weeds. For further information see the full interim report (Beeton et al 2009, Revised Interim Report Christmas Island Expert Working Group to Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts) online, or contact Tim Low, Invasive Species Council (email tim.low@uq.net.au).

Goat eradication on Kangaroo Island Goats may have been an early introduction to Kangaroo Island and set up strongholds on the western end and north coast, but their days are now numbered. The Feral Animal Project run through the Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board began an eradication approach to the feral goats on the island in 2006. The team is using the ‘Judas’ goat method to systematically eradicate feral goats from Kangaroo Island within 7 management units (MUs). Judas goats are captured, fitted with radio-telemetry tracking collars and released (see photo below). Goats have natural mob behaviour and the Judas goats join feral mobs. NRM Project Officers are then able to radio track and destroy the ferals. Over the past three years, 631 feral goats have been destroyed in MUs 1, 2, 3 and 4. MU1 (Parndana) has been completed, and MU2 and MU3 (Flinders Chase National Park on the western end of KI) are in a monitoring phase with no ferals sighted since August 2008. The remaining areas are currently in full operation.

Map of Kangaroo Island showing areas designated as MUs for goat eradication (Kangaroo Island NRM Board)

In 2009 an additional 21 Judas goats, 11 with satellite collars, were released into all MUs. Monitoring and shooting continues with Friends of Parks (a voluntary organisation) taking on a part of the Judas goat monitoring within the area where goats are thought to be eradicated. Total goat eradication on Kangaroo Island is now more a question of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’, thanks to the combined efforts of Kangaroo Island NRM Board, Department for Environment and Heritage (SA), the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre and the Kangaroo Island community. The island work has successfully shown how a small community can Successfully eradicate goats using a strategic integrated approach. For further information, contact Pip Masters (email Pip.Masters@kinrm.com.au)

Success of rabbit eradication on Phillip Island in South Pacific Phillip Island is 6km south of Norfolk Island and halfway between Sydney and Fiji. It is part of the Norfolk Island National Park. A series of introductions of feral grazers by early settlers saw the island’s natural sub-tropical vegetation decimated. The first disastrous action was the release of pigs on the island in 1793. The pigs

rapidly multiplied, eating the more palatable vegetation and no doubt ripping up the abundant petrel burrows to eat the adults, eggs or chicks. The island must have started deteriorating rapidly. Settlers also introduced goats and rabbits to Phillip Island by 1830 (see http://www.petaurus.com/Feral%20animals.htm).

A Judas goat with radio tracking collar (image: Kangaroo Island NRM Board)

7

Accounts from around 1860 describe the island as already looking much as it did in 1979, with almost no vegetation apart from a few remnant trees. The pigs and goats appear to have died out when there was inadequate food to support them but the rabbits survived, preventing the growth of vegetation and thus allowing the unrestricted erosion to continue. That began to change in 1979 with the introduction of exclusion fences [see http://www.petaurus.com/Rabbits.htm]. An experimental program was begun in 1979 to investigate the effects of the rabbits and the potential for regeneration. It used fences to exclude the rabbits from some areas. Within months the evidence was dramatic and the scale of the fencing was increased. Although the program was intended to take three years, the outcome of the first year was so spectacular that the first Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly decided to ask the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service (now Parks Australia) to eradicate the rabbits. Eradication of rabbits from Phillip Island was a huge undertaking. Although only about 200

hectares in area, the island is extremely rugged, with cliffs of more than 200 metres in height and significant parts of the island considered inaccessible to people. The first approach to eradicating the rabbits was with a very virulent laboratory strain of the myxoma virus. Although that approach was extremely effective and efficient, the supply of fleas and virus from Australia stopped while a few rabbits remained and the rabbit population built up again. The rabbits were eventually eradicated by an intensive poisoning program with 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) supplemented by trapping, shooting and fumigating. In the rugged landscape of the island this was an awe-inspiring task that took years of extraordinary effort. Effective eradication was achieved by early in 1986. The result of rabbit eradication has been spectacular, as shown in the photos below. For further information, contact Peter Coyne (email petaurus@gmail.com) or see Petaurus Press website.

Phillip Island in 1979 (before eradication program)…

regeneration progress in 1981… in 2008 (images: Peter Coyne).

New PhD projects on introduced frogs and lizards on Lord Howe Island Two PhD projects will be offered from 2010 in the Evolutionary & Invasion Biology research group at Monash University. Project 1: Biology, ecology and population genetics of the lizard fauna of Lord Howe Island will focus on the invasion dynamics of the delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata) on the island, and the biology, ecology and

population genetics of the LHI skink (Oligosoma lichenigerum) and LHI gecko (Christinus guentheri). The response of the lizard fauna of Lord Howe Island to the planned eradication of rats (mid-2011) will also be assessed. Further information about this project can be found on the Monash University website.

8

Project 2: Invasion biology of Litoria frogs will compare the physiology, ecology, behaviour and genetics of source and introduced frog populations, focusing specifically on the introduction of the bleating tree frog (L. dentata) to Lord Howe Island. Students will need to successfully obtain a PhD scholarship. For further information regarding

PhD entry requirements see: http://www.biolsci.monash.edu.au/staff/chapple/prosp.html Interested students should email their research interests, CV, academic record, and details of two academic referees to Dr David Chapple (David.Chapple@sci.monash.edu.au). For further information phone (03) 9905 3015.

ISLANDS iN FOCUS: International

Rangitoto and Motutapu pest eradication The eradication of introduced mammalian pests by the New Zealand Department of Conservation from Rangitoto Island (2311 hectares) and Motutapu Island (1509 hectares) is well underway. Rangitoto Island is volcanic and linked by a natural causeway to the much older, non-volcanic Motutapu Island.

The islands are in the Hauraki Gulf and are less than 30 minutes via ferry from downtown Auckland City. The aim is to remove the seven remaining mammalian pests — feral cats, rabbits, stoats, hedgehogs, Norway rats, ship rats and mice. This builds on the successful removal of possums and wallabies from the islands in the 1990s, and the reforestation of parts of Motutapu, which is partly farmed. The eradication began with three aerial applications of 10mm (2g) Pestoff 20R bait containing brodifacoum between June and August 2009 to eradicate the rodents. Project Manager Richard Griffiths has been extremely pleased with the roll out of the restoration project:

"The eradication of rodents is the first step towards a pest-free Rangitoto and Motutapu and so far everything has gone according to plan. Excellent coverage of both islands was achieved and the good weather meant that the rodent bait lasted long enough to do its job”.

9

“In the meantime follow up control of rabbits is now underway. Many rabbits will have consumed rodent bait but in every rabbit population there are some that are fussy eaters. Because rabbits can breed prolifically it is important that any survivors are targeted before they get a chance to build back up in numbers.” The low numbers of rabbits remaining will be targeted with a range of methods ranging from patch poisoning to spotlight hunting. Of the other pests, many of the feral cats, stoats and hedgehogs will die from direct and indirect poisoning from the rodent eradication, but trap networks have been set up to target any survivors. Trained dogs will also be used as a tool for detection. The operation will be deemed successful when no pest animal sign

is detected for two years despite intensive monitoring. For more information on the operation check the DOC website

Eradicating alien plants on Gough Island, a World Heritage Site Gough Island in the South Atlantic is part of the United Kingdom Overseas Territory of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The island forms part of a World Heritage Natural Site and recently has been designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site of International Importance. Gough is operated as a strict nature reserve and the only habitation is a South African meteorological station. The European plant, Procumbent Pearlwort Sagina procumbens, was first reported in 1998

adjacent to the station, its assumed point of arrival. Since then it has spread along a few hundred metres of coastal cliff, but has not as yet been found in the sub-Antarctic-like mountainous interior. At South Africa’s sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands Sagina is invasive and is spreading rapidly into many vegetated and unvegetated habitats, and is considered beyond control. It is thought a similar situation will eventuate on Gough if the plant spreads inland with deleterious ecosystem effects. An eradication programme commenced soon after discovery. To date, eradication has not been achieved, but the plant has been curtailed to its current small distribution. Eradication techniques in use include the mechanical removal and dumping of plants and seed-infested soil at sea well away from the island, herbicides to kill both growing plants and germinating seeds, gas flames to kill seeds and seedlings in rock cracks, near-boiling water to kill seeds in soil, high-pressure water jets to strip infested areas of soil and peat down to bedrock, and (from September 2009) spraying with salt water, shown to halt germination in trials.

Motutapu in foreground (pasture) and in background, Rangitoto (forested). Image: John Dowding.

Searching for weeds on Gough Island cliffs (image:John Cooper)

10

Germination trials have shown a steady decline in seed load in infested areas over a near decade, but the plant’s inconspicuous nature, fast growth rate, huge seed load and long-lived seeds, as well as the difficult terrain that requires qualified rope-access technicians to work in safety and the island’s remoteness, are all hampering eradication. In addition to the ongoing effort being directed at Sagina, two other alien plants with limited distributions on the island, the domestic Potato Solanum tuberosum and Tall Vervain Verbena bonariensis, are being removed mechanically when found. Use of herbicides led to the assumed eradication of False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius in 2005/06 and in the 1980s mechanical removal repeated over several years was successful in eradicating Molteno Disease Plant Senecio burchellii and Tall Fleabane Conyza sumatrensis that had been introduced with building sand (which as a consequence is no longer allowed to be taken ashore). Strict quarantine procedures are now in place within the South African National Antarctic Programme (which operates the station) to reduce the risk of new alien plants arriving and becoming established on the island. Alien plant eradication efforts on Gough Island are funded by the United Kingdom’s Overseas Territories Environment Programme via the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and

carried out with the approval of the Conservation Department, Tristan da Cunha. For further information contact John Cooper (email: John.Cooper@uct.ac.za).

Natural recolonisation of Raoul Island following predator removal

The natural recolonisation of kakariki (red-crowned parakeets) on Raoul Island after a 150-year absence is the first documented population expansion and colonisation of a parrot species after removal of invasive predators, according to a paper recently published in Britain's Conservation Evidence journal. Between 2002 and 2004 the New Zealand Department of Conservation carried out one of

the world's largest multispecies eradication project, removing cats, rats and goats from Raoul Island, about 1000km northeast of New Zealand’s North Island. Kakariki, which have not been known to breed on the island for 150 years, are thought to have flown from the nearby Herald Islets island group, about 4km away. [Posted by Insciences Organisation, 12 June 2009]

Trevor Glass, Head of the Tristan da Cunha Conservation Department, with boiler used to kill Sagina seeds (image: John Cooper)

11

Rat Island free of rats after 229 years An aerial poison drop using brodifacoum cereal pellets has likely eradicated rats from Alaska's Rat Island, 229 years after a Japanese shipwreck introduced Norway rats (brown rats) onto the remote Aleutian island. The $US2.5 million Rat Island eradication project was a joint effort between the United States Government, the Nature Conservancy and Island Conservation. It involved helicopter-aided poison drops for a week and a half last autumn on the 26 square kilometre island. Since being introduced in 1780, the rats had decimated the local bird population. However, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service now says that several species of birds, including Aleutian cackling geese, ptarmigan, peregrine falcons and black oystercatchers, are beginning to nest again on the island. Fish and

Wildlife Service said they will officially be able to declare the island rat-free after two years of monitoring. But wildlife workers also recently discovered dead bald eagles, glaucous-winged gulls and several other species on the island. A United States Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman said they were gathering data on the deaths to see if poison drops should be modified in future programs. It is unlikely the eagles ate the poisoned cereal pellets, but they may have scavenged some of the dead rats. The losses will not significantly impact overall Aleutian bird populations however and Rat Island is now going to produce generation after generation of eagles and other birds. [see ABC News 14 Jun 2009]

Review of rodenticides for sustained control Department of Conservation New Zealand has released A Re-evaluation of Potential Rodenticides for Aerial Control of Rodents, by C.T. Eason and S. Ogilvie. Rodent control is carried out extensively in New Zealand to protect the native fauna and flora. This review outlines the advantages and

disadvantages of different rodenticides as alternatives to sodium fluoroacetate (1080), and their suitability for aerial application. It includes existing rodenticides and those in the registration 'pipeline', as well as those that are not currently available in New Zealand. The report is available from the DOC website.

Evidence for regular ongoing introductions of mosquito disease vectors into the Galápagos Islands A recent article in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B has shown that wildlife on the Galápagos Islands could be under threat from introduced mosquitoes travelling in via boat or planes. Although the Ecuadorian government recently introduced a requirement that all planes to Galapagos are treated with insecticide, the effectiveness of this strategy hasn't yet been evaluated, and there are no similar measures in place for boats. The

mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus can carry diseases such as avian malaria, avian pox and West Nile fever. It is believed its introduction to Hawaii resulted in the extinction of many of the islands' endemic birds. See ‘Evidence for regular ongoing introductions of mosquito disease vectors into the Galápagos Islands’ by Bataille et al 2009. Full text available online.

12

Restoration of globally important seabird colonies in the Pacific Exotic predators have been an overriding factor that has driven the extirpation of seabird colonies and, in many cases, the extinction of entire bird species in the Pacific. Introduced rats, feral cats and feral pigs in particular have severe impacts on breeding seabirds. Feral herbivores such as goats and rabbits also destroy native vegetation, eggs and burrows. A recent BirdLife International project to eradicate rats on 16 islands in the Pacific is a significant contribution to seabird and biodiversity conservation in the region. Collectively, these operations have created 306 hectares of predator-free island habitat. This has in turn will protect breeding colonies for 17 species of seabird and many other native species, including threatened land birds, reptiles, invertebrates and plants. The project ran between December 2006 and March 2009. 60 islands and islets in four countries were surveyed for their seabird populations and the presence of invasive

predators. Feasibility plans for 42 islands were produced, providing a sound basis for future restoration planning and priority setting in the region. The project also developed the capacity of 14 NGO staff members, enabling them to successfully implement eradications and identify future seabird island restoration needs. The project has also created new networks and partnerships for further skills sharing. The project was managed through BirdLife International’s Pacific Partnership Secretariat in Suva, Fiji, and implemented on the ground by French Polynesia’s Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie MANU (SOP-MANU), New Caledonia’s Société Calédonienne d'Ornithologie (SCO), Palau’s Palau Conservation Society (PCS), and BirdLife International’s Fiji Programme. For more information, contact Steve Cranwell (email steve@birdlifepacific.org.fj) or download the report.

Survey of invasive plants on island archipelagos A comprehensive survey of 30 island groups across four oceanic regions has just been published, showing many of the islands are now dominated by invasive weed species, largely deliberately introduced by people. In total, they found 383 species of seed-bearing plant had invaded at least one of the 30 island groups studied, with about half becoming the dominant species of a habitat on at least one island. The regions studied include the Atlantic, Caribbean, Pacific and Western Indian Ocean.

Particularly affected islands are Hawaii (with 47 significant weed species), Reunion in the Indian Ocean (where 35 weeds dominate certain habitats), and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean (with 22 dominant weeds). See ‘A global comparison of plant invasions on oceanic islands' by Kueffer et al 2009, in Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (abstract available online, doi:10.1016/j.ppees.2009.06.002).

Gulls and figs benefit black rats on a Mediterranean island What factors determine invasive population dynamics? What factors may sustain introduced populations on islands even in inhospitable environments, and so in turn may drive significant ecological impacts? These questions are of great importance when

fighting against invasive species and designing restoration strategies to protect island biotas. One process to consider in island functioning is the role of the land–marine interface in energy and nutrient fluxes entering the island system (via algae drift, carrions, marine sprays or

13

seabirds roosting or nesting on islands). These allochthonous inputs (often enriched in nutrients such as nitrogen, carbon, phosphorous) are known to highly influence the functioning of oligotrophic islands, originally poor in nutrients compared to the marine area. Indeed, by diffusing through island trophic webs, allochthonous inputs contribute to subsidise island populations. With the growing of human activities both on land (e.g. urbanisation) and at sea (e.g. trade activities, transport of people), islands are currently facing anthropogenically-driven increases of allochthonous nutrient inputs, such as establishment of exotic species or super-abundant shorebirds feeding on the mainland but roosting and nesting on offshore islands. Bagaud Island, a small Mediterranean island (45ha) 7.5 km off the southeast coast of France within the National Park of Port-Cros, was selected as a key site for a substantial survey on black rat (Rattus rattus) dynamics and resource use, to investigate how this generalist and invasive mammal can exploit two seasonal but rich allochthonous resources: gulls and figs. 1. Yellow-legged gulls nest on the island and have substantially modified the plant and arthropod communities in their nesting area (see photo). They are major conduits of marine inputs to islands, providing food scraps, broken eggs and carcasses, and fertilizing soil via guano deposits. These shorebirds have undergone a substantial demographic increase in the northwestern Mediterranean basin over the past decades.

2. Hottentot figs (Carpobrotus spp., see photo) spread on coastal sites of Bagaud Island. This succulent mat-forming plant produces large fleshy fruits, rich in water and energy, in summer when the Mediterranean climate is particularly dry and harsh (see photo, right). This species comes from South-Africa and has been widely introduced on Mediterranean islands over the past century. A total of 87 trapping nights spanning 14 capture-recapture sessions in 2 years (or 9570 trap nights) provided an informative dataset on rat population demography, reproductive output, growth rate of individuals and survival according to the availability of gull and fig resources. This long-term capture–recapture survey was coupled with stable isotope and gut content analyses to decipher resource use and rat movements among habitats. Our results highlighted a larger influence of gull subsidies on rat populations than any other resources (e.g. faster growth rate of young, higher reproductive output), especially when the terrestrial productivity of the island was poor (during the driest year). In the context of progressive climate change with expected longer dry seasons and more frequent drastic events in the Mediterranean, it is likely that allochthonous subsidies may help maintain introduced rat populations on islands and indirectly increase their impact on island biotas. For more information, contact Lise Ruffino (email: ruffino_lise@yahoo.fr)

14

Global Islands Partnership (GLISPA) The Global Islands Partnership (GLISPA) brings together island countries and countries with islands to mobilise leadership, increase resources and share solutions that will catalyse action on islands. GLISPA was created to help bridge local and global initiatives, build upon existing networks and programmes and share knowledge among all islands. Some of its key current focus areas are: the Micronesia Challenge, Caribbean Challenge and the development of a Challenge in the Western Indian Ocean. These challenges are multicountry efforts initiated within the countries themselves and are being used to leverage support from both within and outside their regions. The Challenges and other GLISPA-supported activities are described below. The Micronesia Challenge was launched in March 2006 by the President of Palau, who challenged (hence the name ‘Challenge’) the other leaders of Micronesia to match Palau's efforts to set an overall goal related to conservation and sustainable livelihoods for their countries. This challenge was accepted and now the presidents and governors of the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Marshall Islands have the goal to effectively conserve at least 30% of the near-shore marine and 20% of the forest resources across Micronesia by 2020. GLISPA is also helping to share the lessons learned from this challenge, from policy-level initiatives to on-the-ground conservation efforts. More information on the Micronesia Challenge is available at http://www.micronesiachallenge.org/ The Micronesia Challenge inspired the Caribbean region to launch its own challenge in 2008. The Caribbean Challenge involves four Caribbean countries (The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines) and another four are considering joining in. The Caribbean Challenge goal is to protect at least 20% of their marine and coastal habitats by 2020. A challenge program is being developed in the Western Indian Ocean region, led by the

President of the Seychelles, and will include island countries and Eastern African countries that have islands. Its focus will be on adaptation to climate change. In terms of invasive species, GLISPA is supporting the New Zealand government's upcoming Workshop on Regional Action to Combat Invasive Species on Islands to Preserve Biodiversity and Aid Climate Change Adaptation, as this type of sharing between regions is core to our mission. GLISPA is also working with a range of countries and partners to host an event in Copenhagen at the UNFCCC Meeting in December 2009. This will involve heads of government and will see a range of countries launch ecosystem-based adaptation initiatives. Another GLISPA initiative being implemented by UNEP WCMC is a global islands database. The initiative was launched at last year's Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties in Bonn, Germany and will be ready by December 2009. The Global Islands Information Portal Database, as it is called, is trying to put together existing datasets that collect information about islands. It will be available via the internet.

There is interest within GLISPA in finding out who might be interested to work together to share skills and other efforts specifically related to building capacity for endangered species recovery on islands. The outcome of this would be some type of group set up with a common focus on the following (in the sense of at least understanding the following):

• working out who is doing endangered species recovery on islands

• what the needs are and how to address these

• sharing best practice/lessons/experiences from other islands

• capacity building. Further information can be found at: http://www.cbd.int/island/glispa.shtml or by contacting GLISPA Coordinator Kate Brown (email kbrown@iucnus.org).

15

Regional initiatives for invasive species action in the Pacific Pacific Invasives Learning Network (PILN): PILN was launched in May 2006 and successfully completed a 2-year pilot programme in May 2008. The network as it stands today has the following charter and mandate: The PILN strategy: The Pacific Island Invasives Learning Network will build the skills of multi-agency teams in the Pacific to address the threats posed by invasive species. The PILN mission: To empower effective invasive species management through a participant-driven network that meets priority needs, rapidly shares skills and resources, provides links to technical expertise, increases information exchange, and accelerates on-the-ground action. PILN goals:

PILN team members strengthen essential technical, organisational, collaborative and policy skills to advance invasive species management in the Pacific Islands.

PILN teams demonstrate on-the-ground action against invasive alien species and rapidly share their experiences, skills and resources.

PILN team members work cooperatively on high-priority local and national invasive species issues.

PILN teams collaborate in addressing at least one critical regional invasive issue or opportunity.

Initially the aim of the network was to identify 7 country teams and support each of them to achieve two projects, one at strategic level (e.g. strategic action planning) and one at field level (e.g. rat eradication or weed management), with annual network meetings and a series of exchanges and attachments. At the end of the pilot programme the project outcomes had been fulfilled and an external review found it to have exceeded expectations, with 13 active country teams now established, a high level of participant satisfaction, and a demand from other countries for membership.

An information paper on PILN was presented at the 19th SPREP (Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Programme) meeting in September 2008, and the member council endorsed the institutionalisation of PILN, funding permitting. SPREP is now the official home of PILN and is currently advertising for the full-time position of PILN Coordinator. The achievements of the pilot programme demonstrated the strength and benefits of the network as a mechanism for capacity building in the region. The model of a partnership leading a participant driven network of multisector teams with a full-time coordinator is clearly very successful. The next phase of PILN is to consolidate the existing network and expand it to further Pacific island countries and territories. More information on PILN (including their latest newsletter) can be found at http://www.sprep.org/piln. Contact: Any queries or comments can be addressed to the PILN Coordinator at

Pacific Invasives

piln@sprep.org.

Partnership (PIP): In 2001, the Roundtable for Nature Conservation in the Pacific Islands http://www.pbif.org/RT/ established aSpecies Working Group (ISWG) to coordinate the efforts of its members in assisting and promoting invasive species management in thePacific. In July this year the name of this working group was changed to the Pacific Invasives Partnership (PIP), with the incorporation into it of two partnerships of organisations that had originally been creato provide support and guidance to two regional invasive species programmes, PILN and the Pacific Invasives Initiative (PII:

n Invasive

ted

http://www.issg.org/cii/PII/ ).

16

PIP now acts as the single coordinating invasive species programmes body

nd

in the region.

ail

for invasive species action in the Pacific, with a core membership of organisations whose main business includes work on invasive species in more than one Pacific island country or territory. It continues to provide support aguidance to PII and PILN, as well as to other

PIP remains a working group of the Roundtable, reporting back to it annually. Contact: Questions about PIP can be addressed to the Chair, Dr Alan Tye (emalant@sprep.org).

NEW! Guidelines for Invasive Species Management in the Pacific

line

In 2000, the Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) produced a Draft Regional Invasive Species Strategy for the Pacific. Revision of this strategy began in 2006, and the resulting Guidelines for InvasiveSpecies Management in the Pacific was endorsed by the 25 Pacific member countries and territories of SPREP in 2008, and published in July this year (available on ).

guide iding

r their

The guidelines are intended to assist Pacific island countries and territories in developing

regional and international agencies in provassistance to them. Both PIP and PILN are dedicated to the implementation of the guidelines, and use them as the basis fostrategic planning. Hard copies of the guidelines may be obtained

their invasive species work, and to

from the Information Resource Centre, SPREP,PO Box 240, Apia, Samoa (email irc@sprep.org)

‘Invasive Species International’: A program to support pest management

andcare Research in New Zealand has

n

e

of

l proving

we have provided a variety of luding preparing national invasive

g

r

lready

e

Lrecently established ‘Invasive Species International’.This is a program focused oproviding technical advice and scientific support to agencies undertaking invasivespecies management anywhere around thworld. Its aim is to provide a means by whichthe experience and expertise developed by New Zealand practitioners and ecologists can be made more widely available. In addition to Landcare Research specialists, this involves collaborating with New Zealand-based

Conservation and the Pacific Invasives Initiative, as well as an increasing numberoverseas partners and collaborators. Our activities in Invasive Species Internationaare directed at two identified needs; im

organisations such as the Department of

the effectiveness of invasive species management and reducing associated risks. The project development process we apply uses a progressive approach to setting management priorities and achieving projectobjectives. Since 2007,ervices incs

species management strategies, undertakinfeasibility studies, drafting operational plans and completing reviews of projects in a numbeof countries. We have also undertaken research to underpin decisions by management and funding agencies. A number of important lessons have a

een noted by participating specialists. For bexample, studies aimed at assessing the feasibility of particular management goals aran important early step — especially when

Tasman Island, Tasmania. Image: Alan Saunders

17

these studies are undertaken independenimplementing and funding agencies. In an Australian island example, the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service

tly of

asked r our support in preparing a plan to eradicate

llowed an

ties in

important limitations in redicting project outcomes and in managing

critical

a

e

a

e

or further information please see

foferal cats from Tasman Island. This foearlier unsuccessful eradication attempt and growing concerns about the impacts of the cats on the island’s biodiversity, and nesting seabirds in particular. In collaboration with relevant government departments we prepared an eradication plan to guide further activileading to a proposed eradication operationthe winter of 2010. As more invasive species management projects are initiatedpuncertainty are becoming apparent. Oneissue facing agencies funding eradication projects is the problem of knowing whether all individuals of a targeted pest population have

been removed, and thus when to declare success and stop expensive managementoperations. At the request of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Landcare Research scientists developed models based on theprobabilities of remaining feral pigs on SantCruz Island, California being detected using thmonitoring regimes in place. Working in close collaboration with TNC staff, as well as with theeradication contractor (ProHunt), a decision support system was developed — along withspatially explicit prescription of how much extra monitoring was required to achieve the desired level of certainty that the last pig had been removed. Modified versions of this process have been subsequently applied by LandcarResearch scientists to other projects in Hawaii and New Zealand. Fhttp://www.isinz.com or contact Ala(email saundersa@landcareresearch.co.nz).

n Saunders

Santa Cruz pig eradication owned ht

land y

tion, an

n Santa Cruz were losely linked to island fox declines and the

d

Before the eradication started, five fenced zones were created to divide the island into

ed

ely

began in arch 2005. It was followed by intensive

st in

d

The California Channel Islands are renas “California’s Galapagos”. Of the eigislands, Santa Cruz is the largest and most diverse. Totaling 60,784 acres (24,599 hectares), it lies 22 miles across the Santa Barbara Channel from the nearest mainpoint. The island is incredibly rich biologicalland is home to 12 endemic species; nine endangered or threatened plants, and the endangered Santa Cruz Island fox. In addithere are an estimated 3000 Native Americarchaeological sites (some 10,000 years old) that are protected by law. From the 1990s, feral pigs ocendangered status of nine plants. In addition, the pigs damaged or destroyed many island archaeological sites. The island is jointly owneby the Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service. Recognising the need for pig eradication, the owners hired Prohunt Inc. of New Zealand to undertake the project.

manageable hunting units. The zones rangfrom 6,250-17,180 acres each. Over 27 milesof fencing were constructed across all island topography. The fence was made of hog wire and was four feet high. It was also buried intothe ground to prevent animals from digging under the fence. Native island animals, such asfoxes and the island spotted skunk, could fremove through the fence. The hunting phase of the eradication Mmonitoring and an eradication certification phase. In less than two years, the feral pigpopulation (totaling over 5000) had been removed from Santa Cruz Island, with the lapig (a radio collared Sentinel pig) removedJanuary 2007. The island was certified ‘pig-free’ from quantitative analyses using hunting data to assess the probability that all pigs habeen detected and dispatched.

18

Prohunt believed that keeping pigs naïve to hunters throughout the project was vital and that the greatest threat to success would have been creating an educated pig population that was skilled in avoiding hunters. Hunting expertise and the strategic application of trapping, aerial hunting and ground hunting (in that order) were the foundation. Fully integrated global positioning systems (GPS), a geographic information system (GIS) and radio telemetry were all used to collect data

throughout the project. These technologies and data became the foundation for monitoring, and for obtaining the eradication certification. Daily deployment of a hunting team by helicopter greatly increased the efficiency of the eradication program. This project has demonstrated that large, topographically complex islands can be freed of feral pigs if the project is planned and implemented strategically, with high levels of technical expertise and commitment. And what of the Santa Cruz Island foxes? The pig eradication and other intensive restoration efforts, including captive rearing, have had a dramatic impact on the foxes. As at 2004 the foxes had declined from their historical average of 1,500 to fewer than 100. By 2009, however, the fox population has rebounded to more than 700. For more information see the full report ‘A New Approach for Ungulate Eradication; A Case Study for Success’

IUCN Island Initiative Mailing List IUCN new Island Initiative is setting up and would like to share information with you and get your support. If you wish to receive

information on islands-related issues or contribute to island-related work please email olivier.tyack@iucn.org or see the IUCN website

Hawaii Conservation Conference talks now available online The 17th annual Hawai‘i Conservation Conference attracted over 1,100 people with its various lectures, symposia, and other presentations focusing on the theme ‘Hawaii in a Changing Climate.’

Over 84 of the presentations are now available online, covering a range of conservation issues from climate change to invasive species to environmental education efforts throughout the Hawaiian archipelago. See the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance web site or go directly to http://blip.tv/file/2393728

Santa Cruz Island, California. Image: John Parkes

19

Aliens in Antarctica — quantifying plant and animal propagules inadvertently carried into the Antarctic

The impact of alien (non-native, introduced) species poses a major threat to many of the ecosystems of the world. Several alien species (vascular plants, invertebrates) have already established themselves on the Antarctic, and a much larger number have invaded many of the subantarctic islands. Climate amelioration will facilitate successful colonisation by non-native species. The Southern Ocean surrounding the Antarctic continent and the subantarctic islands has until quite recently isolated these areas from the other terrestrial biomes of the world. This barrier has been broken down by the greatly increased traffic of people and goods to Antarctica. A large number of research stations have been established, being visited annually by scientists and support personnel, while the number of tourists visiting Antarctica in the 2007/08 summer season was more than 33,000. This resulted in an astonishing 197,286 landings on the Antarctic continent and the surrounding islands. The first stage in any biological invasion is the organism reaching the new area. Although the presence of a number of alien species indicated that organisms from elsewhere reach the Antarctic, there was a complete absence of information about the frequency with which propagules arrived, and the number of species represented in these propagules. In our study we sampled visitors and cargo going to the Antarctic, to quantify the propagules load they carry with them. In addition, we collected information about the regions people had visited before they came to the Antarctic, and about the use of the clothing and equipment they brought with them. General information was obtained from 5700 people on their way to the Antarctic. Samples were collected from over 800 visitors, on 55 different voyages, spread over 26 different ships and airplanes.

Preliminary results show that a considerable proportion of visitors to the Antarctic carry plant seeds with them, in coat pockets, on boot soles and so on, and that these propagules come from a large number of different species. There are significant differences in the propagule load between different categories of visitors and different categories of clothing and equipment. Seeds were also found in cargo destined for Antarctic stations. The protected status of Antarctica requires visitors to refrain from introducing alien organisms. Even if only a small proportion of the seeds (and other propagules) carried by visitors into the Antarctic each year stays behind, the dispersal barrier between the species’ source areas and Antarctica has been overcome. The presently unfavourable climate will prevent many of these new arrivals from establishing, but climate amelioration will increase the likelihood of the survival of new arrivals. By reducing the propagule number being carried into the Antarctic, the probability of new biological invasions will be reduced. Our data will make it possible to devise an efficient and effective way of assuring that the transport of alien propagules in voyages to the Antarctic is minimised. For further information, contact Niek Gremmen (email gremmen@wxs.nl). Authors: Niek Gremmen 1, Ad Huiskes1, Dana Bergstrom2, Kevin Hughes3, Jennifer Lee4, Steven Chown4, Satoshi Imura5, Megumu Tsujimoto5, Mark Lebouvier6, Yves Frenot, Frits Steenhuisen7, Maaike VanCauwenberghe 8

1 Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Yerseke, The Netherlands; 2 Australian Government Antarctic Division, Kingston, Australia; 3 British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, United Kingdom; 4 Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; 5 National Institute of Polar Research, Tokyo, Japan; 6 University of Rennes, Rennes, France; 7 Oceanwide Expeditions, Vlissingen, The Netherlands; 8 Belgian Federal Science Policy Office, Antarctic Program, Brussels, Belgium.

20

21

UPCOMING EVENTS

• 7th European Vertebrate Pest Management Conference. Lyon, France, 8-12 September 2009.

• First International Congress on Biological Invasions. Fuzhou, China, 2-6 November 2009. • Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference. Napier, New Zealand, 30 Nov-2 Dec

2009. • Island Arks Symposium. Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia. 7-11 December 2009. • Wildlife Disease Association (Australasian Section) and Wildlife Society of the New

ZealandVeterinary Association combined conference. The Catlins, South Otago, New Zealand, 10–16 December 2009.

• Island Invasives: Eradication and Management. Auckland, New Zealand, 8-12 February 2010.

• Global Biosecurity 2010. Brisbane, Australia, 28 February-3 March 2010. • 4th International Conference on Rodent Biology and Management. Bloemfontein, South Africa

12-16 April 2010.

Call for islandNet documents and images We are asking all islandNet members for your help with our collation of island-related items; especially ‘grey’ literature reports and images, to house in our feral.org.au resources database. Copyright permission will be obtained before making any document or image available (basically, we would like low resolution pictures acknowledging the source to be allowed for educational use only). If you are happy to provide a copy of relevant research, policy or other documents/pictures for our database, please contact Wendy Henderson (email wendy.henderson@invasiveanimals.com). Sincere thanks to those of you who have already sent things in to us.

We hope you found this newsletter interesting and informative — any constructive feedback is welcome! Thank-you to everyone who contributed to this edition. If you would like to contribute to the next newsletter, please contact Elaine Murphy (emurphy@doc.govt.nz) or Wendy Henderson (wendy.henderson@invasiveanimals.com) Funding support from:

22