South Georgia – special and vulnerable
South Georgia is located in the Southern Ocean. Due to its proximity to major oceanic currents and its placement north of Antarctica, South Georgia is a wildlife haven, home to the greatest concentration of seabirds on the planet and two endemic species.
As with so many islands, South Georgia’s native birds evolved in the absence of predators. They nest on the ground or in shallow burrows, making them easy prey for alien invasive species such as rats and mice. Soon after the island was discovered in 1775, it became overrun by rats and mice which arrived as stowaways on the ships of sealers and whalers. Accomplished predators, the rats consumed the eggs and young of millions of ground nesting birds for nearly 200 years.
The Habitat Restoration Project
In May 2018, following the success of the Habitat Restoration project, the South Georgia Heritage Trust, Friends of South Georgia Island and the Government of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands declared South Georgia rodent-free. This Herculean effort engaged partners and supporters from around the globe and remains the largest programme of its kind ever attempted. As time passes it is increasingly clear that the Habitat Restoration Project has instigated a biological renaissance on South Georgia.
A Rodent Detection Programme for South Georgia.
While the Habitat Restoration project was an inspirational feat, the possibility of rodents returning to South Georgia is an ever-present threat.
Following two successful pilots of the rodent detection programme, operating from Stanley, there is now a permanent rodent detection dog programme in place in the Falkland Islands.
Samurai (known as Sammy) and his handler Naomi (a Falkland Islands local who has received training from organisation Working Dogs for Conservation WD4C) perform inspections to check for the presence of rodents on vessels bound for South Georgia.
We will probably never be able to re-bait South Georgia if rodents are re-introduced. The glaciers are melting that allowed us to treat areas in isolation. Rigorous biosecurity measures and spreading awareness of potential threats are the only way we can protect South Georgia’s wonderful native birds, so SGHT and FOSGI have made a long-term commitment to support the GSGSSI biosecurity dog team, supported by our cruise operator friends in IAATO.
