Ecological revival on Lord Howe Island following rodent eradication

Following a major rodent eradication operation on Lord Howe Island off the coast of Australia, the island's ecology has entered a historic recovery process. Following the operation, a notable increase in native bird and invertebrate species was recorded.

Historic Eradication Operation

Located approximately 600 kilometers off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, Lord Howe Island has entered a historic ecological recovery process following a large-scale rodent eradication operation. House mice that arrived on the island in the 1860s and ship rats that spread in 1918 had a devastating impact on native species.

Hundreds of Thousands of Rodents Cleared

According to data from the Lord Howe Island Board, rodents led to the extinction of at least five endemic bird species, two native plants, and dozens of invertebrate species. Between May and December 2019, an estimated 150,000 mice and 84,000 rats were completely cleared from the island thanks to baits dropped by helicopter and stations established in residential areas.

Rapid Increase in Bird Populations

Following the operation, significant increases were recorded in biodiversity values. The breeding success of the black-winged petrel rose from 2.5 percent to 67 percent within a year, while the population of the endangered woodhen more than doubled in a short time.

Lost Species Sighted Again

A native cockroach species that had not been seen since the 1930s and was presumed extinct was rediscovered in 2022. Experts stated that the withdrawal of the invasive predator species from the environment created a broad positive impact on the food web.