“It is fantastic to see that this first stage is now complete and that our efforts to restore Macquarie Island to an ecosystem free of introduced pests is well underway.”
The number of non-target species impacted by baiting has been minimised, with a total of 855 birds affected to date. The introduction of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus on the island earlier this year drastically cut rabbit numbers which resulted in fewer carcasses on the ground and a reduction in secondary poisoning among non-target species.
Another key factor in reducing non-target species mortality has been an increased effort by specially dedicated ground crews collecting and burying poisoned carcasses after baiting.
Mr Wightman said that while the impact on non-target species was unfortunate, if the pests continued to cause damage it was likely that some seabirds and unique plant species would no longer exist on the island.
“This short-term impact will be balanced out by the long-term protection to the island’s ecosystems achieved through the pest eradication.”
The team involved in the baiting operation is expected to return to Hobart in late July.
Twelve trained hunting dogs are already on the island ready to begin the next phase of the operation, hunting down the rabbits that survived the baiting project. Hunters will work with the dogs and their handlers to dispatch any rabbits found. This is expected to take up to five years.
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