Source: Charles Darwin Foundation

A 10-day intensive examination of the introduced rat and mouse problem in Galapagos was organised by the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) from the 2nd to the 12th of April in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island. The workshop brought together local management authorities and scientists with participants from Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA; experts on invasive species control with extensive experience in the eradication of rodents on islands as well as the flora and fauna of Galapagos.

Building on the recent success of Project Isabela, which achieved the eradication of goats, pigs, and donkeys from some of the larger islands, the next challenge will be the elimination of introduced rodents such as the black rat, Rattus rattus and the common house mouse Mus musculus, two of the most invasive and destructive invasive species that have arrived in Galapagos since the discovery of the islands in 1535.

Linda Cayot, the workshop coordinator and a former Coordinator of Project Isabela and longterm CDF researcher said, "The combination of expertise at this workshop has already created an exciting plan for Pinzon and Rabida islands which will provide a testing ground for the eradication of rodents from the entire archipelago."

While representing a huge challenge for both scientists and managers, 'Project Pinzon: The First Step in the Eradication of the Introduced Rodents in Galapagos', is strategically designed to look to the future, when the knowledge and technology exist to eradicate introduced rodents from the larger, more complex islands. "I was thrilled to be a part of the start of another exciting programme, much like Project Isabela, and look forward to the day when Galapagos is both goat-free and [introduced] rat-free." said Cayot.

The group visited Floreana, Pinzón, Santa Cruz, Santiago islands for a first hand overview of different habitat types, topographical features and urban and rural zones, giving the participants a clearer vision of the challenges to be overcome in an eradication programme. A visit to the habitat of the remnant population of the Santiago Island rice rat provided important insights into how to protect non-target species during any eradication. This rare endemic rat was rediscovered in 1998 when for a century it had been considered extinct.

Bryan Milstead, CDF's Head of Vertebrates said introduced rodents are having strong detrimental effects on biodiversity both in the Galapagos and elsewhere. "We consider these species to be a major threat to the Galapagos and we look forward to working with the Galapagos National Park to develop a state of the art rodent eradication programme that will serve as a model for other island ecosystems worldwide."

CDF would like to thank the UK-based Galapagos Conservation Trust and Lindblad Expedition's Galapagos Conservation Fund for their financial support for the workshop. The workshop was catered by the Colegio Galapagos cooking school, a landmark programme that is training local high school students to work in the food preparation, serving and processing field.