Dog Island Restoration Projectfrom eradication to monitoring

Dog Island Restoration Project - Introduction

Dog Island covers approximately 205 hectares. It has been identified as the second most important island in the Lesser

Antilles for seabird nesting populations.Also regionally and internationally important for seabirds, waders, and

reptiles.

• 15km NW of Anguilla mainland

• Dense and very scruby thorn

• Uninhabited and difficult to land on

• Privately owned by the Anguilla Development Company, Ltd.

Dog Island Restoration Project - Introduction

Main threat to Dog Island were Black rats (Rattus rattus).

Following the results of a feasibility study, an operational plan was developed to complete the eradication.

Dog Island Restoration Project – Rat Eradication

Funding secured in 2011, with most funds from US National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Eradication of Black rats followed five main phases: cutting of tracks, placing bait along tracks, monitoring rat activity, establishing permanent bait stations around perimeter of island, monitoring wildlife pre- and post-eradication

• Funding from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (US), Anguilla Governor’s Office (eradication)

• Funding from Disney Foundation (biodiversity monitoring)

• Donation of bait from Syngenta Inc.

Dog Island Restoration Project – Rat Eradication

General results: Rat population had collapsed within 14 days

Dog Island Restoration Project – Rat Eradication

Highest densities of rats (red/orange) were found in the main seabird nesting areas.

No deaths or injuries to any other wildlife were detected.

Dog Island Restoration Project – Post-Eradication

Regular monitoring of almost 170 permanent bait stations.

Ensure that no re-invasion/re-introduction from e.g. visiting boats.

Dog Island Restoration Project – Post-eradication

Regular wildlife monitoring – seabirds, land birds, lizards, vegetation.

Dog Island Restoration Project – Post-eradication

Spectacular nesting seabird colonies

Dog Island Restoration Project – Post-eradication

Spectacular nesting seabird colonies

Dog Island Restoration Project – Post-eradication

Spectacular nesting seabird colonies

Dog Island Restoration Project – Post-eradication

Spectacular nesting seabird colonies

Dog Island Restoration Project – Post-eradication

Spectacular nesting seabird colonies

Next Adventures

In 2015, working with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Invasive Species Consultant Grant Harper, we completed a feasibility study on the eradication of rats from Prickly Pear (East and West) Important Bird Area (funded by the European Union BEST funding scheme). We’re currently seeking funding to conduct the eradication.

Island Restoration and Protected Areas

Dog Island and Prickly Pear cays are both privately-owned Important Bird Areas. They’ve been identified as a key biodiversity areas and have been highlighted as sites of particular interest for conservation.

• Funding from Darwin Initiative (through Darwin Plus) to support the project Promoting the creation and appropriate management of protected areas in Anguilla and the Cayman Islands

• Exploring ways in which we can work with land owners and other stakeholders to better manage and protected these special areas– Island restoration and biodiversity monitoring to

better understand their ecological importance and ecosystem services

– Species reintroductions (Lesser Antillean iguana on Prickly Pear East)

– Potential Ramsar Site designation for Prickly Pear East & West