Birdlife South Africa Unclaimed

Marion Island is a South African territory in the south Atlantic, home to several threatened seabird species, including nearly half of the world’s Wandering Albatrosses. Unfortunately, these birds are threatened by an unlikely but voracious predator: the house mouse. Mice were inadvertently introduced during the 1900s, and have since wreaked havoc on the delicate island ecosystem. Until recently, the mice have only been predating on seabird chicks, but in 2017 the first predation on an adult Northern Giant Petrel was observed. BirdLife South Africa is supporting the Department of Environmental Affairs to launch an island restoration project, which will rid the island of mice and aims to restore this once pristine breeding location. Mouse Free Marion is currently planned for the winter of 2021, using methods employed in other successful eradications. To support this work, please visit the dedicated website.