Eradication of Polynesian rats Rattus exulans from Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Morrell TE, Ponwith BJ, Craig PC, Ohasi TJ, Murphy JG, Flint E. 1991. Eradication of Polynesian rats Rattus exulans from Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources biological report no. 20. Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources. American Samoa Government. Pago Pago, American Samoa
A 38-day poison and trap campaign was conducted on Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge to eradicate Polynesian rates in order to reduce their impact on seabird eggs and hatchlings and sea turtle hatchlings. Live and snap traps were systematically positioned at 15 sites through the 6.3 ha island. Additionally, 2 20-g blocks of WeatherBlok rodenticide (brodifacoum) were placed at 31 permanent and 23 temporary poison stations each day. Poison blocks were also placed in areas of high rate activity. During 7,602 trap nights and 33 days of poisoning, 656 rats were captured in traps, and 258 poisoned rats were collected on the ground. During the last nine days of the initial campaign no rats visits, one and four rats were trapped during 982 and 5,087 trap nights, respectively. No poisoned rates were observed during either follow-up visit when 24 and 48 poison stations were used. Additional effort will be necessary to eradicate all rats from the island.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Morrell, Tom; Ponwith, Bonnie; Craig, Peter; Ohasi, Tim; Murphy, James; Flint, Elizabeth
- Date of Issue
- 1991
- Publisher
- Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources. American Samoa Government
- Units
- NPSA , PACN
- Keywords
- American Samoa, Animal Studies, Eradication, Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans), Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge