Final Report: The Eradication of Introduced Rats at Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Witmer GW, Boyd F, Campbell E, Wakefield J, Hillis-Starr Z. 2002. Final Report: The Eradication of Introduced Rats at Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Us Department of Interior, National Park Service
The US National Park Service (NPS) and Department of Agriculture Wildlife Service (WS) conducted an island-wide tree rat (Rattus rattus) eradication and established a rodent monitoring program at Buck Island Reef National Monument. These introduced rats caused substantial damage to the island's flora and fauna, including threatened and endangered species. An anticoagulant (0.005 percent diphacinone) rodenticide bait-block was distributed in elevated baie stations on an island-wide grid. The bait stations were modified several times to assure ready access by rats while minimizing access by non-target animals. Post-project trapping sessions resulted in no rat captures, suggesting rats have been eradicated from the island. The baiting program had minimal impact on non-target species and a recovery of island's flora and fauna has been documented. Post-eradication rodent monitoring has revealed the presence of a growing house mouse, Mus musculus, population on the island. Threats and potential management strategies are being assessed. Abstract provided by author.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Witmer, Gary; Boyd, Frank; Campbell, Earl; Wakefield, Joyce; Hillis-Starr, Zandy
- Date of Issue
- 2002-11
- Publisher
- Us Department of Interior, National Park Service
- Units
- BUIS
- Keywords
- Adverse impact, Eradication, Management, Monitoring, Mouse, Mus musculus, Pests, Predation, Predator, rats, Rattus rattus, Rodent pests, rodenticides, wildlife impacts