Gough Island Restoration Programme
The RSPB-led Gough Island Restoration Programme tried in 2021 to remove the invasive mice that prey on seabirds; mice were found again, so the eradication did not fully succeed (RSPB).
Image: NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team (PIA22506, Tristan da Cunha, public domain; not Gough itself).
Last reviewed: 2 sources cited
An honest story: a huge effort to save seabirds from mice, and lessons for next time.
Over 99% of the world's Atlantic petrels breed on Gough Island, where mice took eggs and chicks (Gough Island Restoration Programme).
Source: Gough Island Restoration Programme, Help restore Gough
Explain Like I'm 10
- Gough Island in the South Atlantic is home to rare seabirds.
- Mice brought by people eat the chicks.
- A team tried to remove every mouse; a few survived, and they are learning how to try again.
The Five W's of the Gough Island Restoration
What
An attempt to remove every invasive mouse from Gough Island.
Source: Gough Island Restoration Programme (RSPB), home page update
When
The attempt was in 2021; a mouse was seen on camera again in December 2021.
Source: Gough Island Restoration Programme (RSPB), home page update
Where
Gough Island, in the Tristan da Cunha group, South Atlantic.
Source: Gough Island Restoration Programme, Help restore Gough
Why
Gough is home to four seabird species found only in the Tristan da Cunha group and two endemic land birds.
Source: Gough Island Restoration Programme, Help restore Gough
How You Can Help
- Get in touch about supporting the programme: contact details on its Help restore Gough page
- Listen to the Gough soundscape: a 10-minute recording of the island's birds to share in class
No Donate button here: the programme's own site has no donate page, only a contact for funding. The ways to take part above are real options listed on the organization's own site.
Saving Planets features the Gough Island Restoration Programme because its work helps the planet. This is a showcase, not a partnership: we are not partners with the Gough Island Restoration Programme and receive nothing from it.
Connected Solutions
- South Georgia Habitat Restoration The world's largest island rodent eradication.
Impact Statement
Nonprofit solution · 2021 attempt, mice remain
Atlantic petrel breeding success, as low as 12% before, was believed to be around 63% in the first season after the attempt (Gough Island Restoration Programme).
Source: Gough Island Restoration Programme, Help restore Gough
For Further Information: Gough Island Restoration Programme, Help restore Gough
There are only around 5,000 mature Tristan albatrosses, and almost all breed on Gough (Gough Island Restoration Programme).
How This Saves People & the Planet
For People
The RSPB says it will learn every lesson possible for the wider island restoration community (RSPB).
Source: Gough Island Restoration Programme (RSPB), home page update
For Nature
Even without full success, the attempt brought some respite from intense predation on the birds (RSPB).
Source: Gough Island Restoration Programme (RSPB), home page update
Learn More About Gough Island
Want to go deeper? Read the programme's updates.
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