Conservation boon as islands are cleared of 200,000 mice

NEW ZEALAND has eradicated mice from a group of remote volcanic islands, completing a landmark five-year project that has disposed of 200,000 rodents and could assist the global effort to protect native species from introduced predators.

Following a three-week search across the Antipodes Islands, about 500 miles off the south-east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, authorities confirmed that the “Million Dollar Mouse” project had removed all the mice from the territory.

The creatures, believed to have been introduced following a shipwreck in 1893, or by crews of 19th century seal hunters, preyed on the islands’ 25 native birds species and their eggs, as well as local invertebrates and plants.

To eradicate the mice, authorities conducted a helicopter bait-drop in 2016 and sent teams to scour the islands for signs of the rodents. The search used rodent-detecting dogs and 200 tracking tunnels, which use ink to track the footprints of small creatures that pass through.

Eugenie Sage, minister for conservation, said the project would help to ensure the survival of 21 species of breeding seabirds, more than 150 species of insects, 21 plant species and four land birds. “This is huge news for conservation both in New Zealand and internationally,” she said.

“Seeing so many parakeets, pipits and insects flourishing on what is now a predator-free island is a tribute to the ambition, planning, dedication and skills of everyone involved.”