Scientists are planning a mouse eradication project on the tiny sub-Antarctic Marion Island in an effort to protect the territory’s native birds. Currently, Marion Island is home to house mice that arrived on seal hunting ships 200 years ago. Due to accelerated breeding in recent years, these mice pose a serious threat to local biodiversity.
Climate change has extended the breeding season of house mice, leading to a significant increase in their population. Scientists are concerned about the survival of rare local species due to this population growth. Dr. Anton Wolfaardt of the Mouse-Free Marion Project highlights the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need for drastic action to eliminate the invasive mammals.
The plan involves dropping 550 tons of rodenticide bait on the island to control the mouse population. The bait is designed to minimize damage to native animals, including the endangered birds they aim to protect. While the project aims to receive approval in 2027 and is partly funded by the South African government, similar efforts have been made in the past.
In a previous attempt to control mouse numbers on Marion Island, house cats were introduced in 1944. However, by 1977, the cat population had grown to over 3,000, posing a greater threat to local wildlife than the mice. Hunters were deployed in 1986 to address the issue, taking around four years to eliminate the problematic feline population.
