Offshore islands of Antigua and Barbuda
#00267
PartialRegion
Implementer
Antiguan Racer Conservation Project and local and international partners
Location
Offshore islands of Antigua and Barbuda17.1000, -61.8000
Description
Invasive rats were eradicated from Great Bird Island and additional offshore islands, after which Antiguan racers were translocated to establish populations on restored sites. The species had been reduced to an estimated 51 individuals on Great Bird Island by 1995; the population doubled within two years of rat removal. Subsequently, racer populations were established on at least three additional offshore islands. Each island requires ongoing biosecurity to prevent rat reinvasion.
Metrics
2Estimated population before recovery work51Doubled within two years of rat removalindividuals
Additional offshore islands receiving reintroductions3islands
Lessons learned
- Population growth on a single small island exposed food and carrying-capacity limits, making translocation to additional secured islands a necessary second phase.
- Reintroduction without permanent biosecurity protocols would leave new island populations vulnerable to the same invasive-predator threat that caused the original collapse.
Sources
3