Eradication Of Rodents

From South Georgia Website

Brown rats were introduced to South Georgia by sealers and whalers and now occupy the entire north-eatern coast of the island and the southern coast at the north-west end. Mice are also present in some areas of the island. Rats predate on ground nesting birds such as the South Georgia pipit and small petrels and the South Georgia pipit is absent from all rat infested areas. The eradication of rodents from South Georgia was identified as a high priority in the GSGSSI Plan for Progress. Over the last five years the South Georgia Heritage Trust have been developing plans and raising funds to undertake the eradication. The presence of glaciers on South Georgia, which isolate sections of the island, means that the eradication can be undertaken in stages. However the rapid retreat of many of the glaciers increases the urgency of undertaking an eradication programme.

The SGHT started the first phase of the eradication in 2011. Whilst the GSGSSI is fully supportive of the principal of the eradication, it also has a regulatory role and needs to be satisfied that the proposed work will be undertaken safely, with risks minimised, and with minimum impact on the environment.

The following SGHT documents are available: http://www.sgisland.gs