Managing invasive animals on sub-Antarctic islands

Abstract

People have deliberately or accidentally introduced animals to many sub-Antarctic islands over the past 250 years. Environmental changes as a consequence of these introductions can be inferred from observations made directly before or following eradication. Broad options for managing invasive animals include prevention, eradication, sustained control or no control, circumstances usually dictating the best option. xamples of successful management of invasive animals in the sub-Antarctic region include Enderby and Campbell islands. Key challenges in furthering management of invasive animals in the region include improving biosecurity to prevent pests reaching new locations (includ­ing islands from which they may have been eradicated) and increasing the scale of islands on which eradication of rodents is attempted. Success with the Macquarie Island rabbit eradication project will greatly increase understanding and confidence in what can be done.