The Development and Use of Ground-Based Rat Eradication Techniques in the UK

E.A. Bell Bell, E.A. It’s not all up in the air: the development and use of ground-based rat eradication techniques in the UK It’s not all up in the air: the development and use of ground-based rat eradication techniques in the UK E.A. Bell Wildlife Management International Ltd, P.O. Box 607, Blenheim 7201, New Zealand, <[email protected]>. Abstract Eradication techniques using ground-based devices were developed in New Zealand in the early 1970s to target invasive rodents. Since then, diff erent bait station designs, monitoring tools and rodenticide baits have been developed, and changes in fi eld techniques have improved and streamlined these operations. The use of these techniques has been taken around the world to eradicate rodents from islands. Eradication technology has moved rapidly from ground-based bait station operations to aerial application of rodenticides. However, regulations, presence of and attitudes of island- communities and presence of a variety of non-target species precludes the aerial application of rodenticides on islands in many countries. As such, ground-based operations are the only option available to many agencies for the eradication of invasive rodents from islands. It is important to recognise that the use of ground-based operations should be a valid option during the assessment phase of any eradication proposal even in countries that can legally apply bait from the air; in many instances the use of ground-based techniques can be as economic and rapid. The use of ground-based operations can also facilitate opportunities for in-depth monitoring of both target and non-target species. Using examples of the techniques and developments used in fi ve ground-based rat eradication operations from the UK demonstrates how these methods can be used safely and successfully around the world, even on islands in the order of hundreds of hectares and those with communities. Keywords: bait station, ground-based, inhabited, island, rodenticide INTRODUCTION Albeit unanticipated, the eradications of rats from The presence of critical non-target species, sensitive Rouzic Island, France in 1951 and Maria Island, New habitats, island communities and legislative requirements Zealand in 1960 were the fi rst successful rat eradication have restricted methods and tools for island eradications operations on islands anywhere in the world (Towns & in these countries. This paper describes the history and Broome, 2003; Lorvelec & Pascal, 2005; Howald, et al., development of ground-based rat eradications using bait 2007). These unintentional eradications spurred eff orts in stations in the United Kingdom using fi ve eradication New Zealand to develop and perfect eradication techniques operations as examples and covers lessons learnt and how (Cromarty, et al., 2002; Thomas & Taylor, 2002; Towns local communities have been involved. & Broome, 2003). Between 1965 and 1986, New Zealand wildlife managers, ecologists and scientists used a range of experimentally designed operations to determine the best INVASIVE RATTUS SPECIES ON UK ISLANDS methods to consistently, successfully eradicate rats from Both black (Rattus rattus) and brown (R. norvegicus) islands (Cromarty, et al., 2002; Towns & Broome, 2003). rats are present in the UK (Nowak, 1999; Long, 2003). Seabirds and other native species on islands are particularly Black rats were presumed to have been introduced by the vulnerable to invasive mammal species, particularly Romans (c. 110 AD) and the brown rat via shipping between rats. The eradication of invasive mammals is considered 1720 and 1728 (Thomas, 1985; Corbet & Southern, 1977; the fi rst step in island restoration and the subsequent Yaldwen, 1999; McCann, 2005; Parslow, 2007). Brown recovery of native species and biodiversity. Since these rats were fi rst recorded in the Isles of Scilly in 1728 after early ground-based operations, rats (Rattus rattus, R. several shipwrecks occurred that year (Thomas, 1985; norvegicus, R. exulans) have been successfully eradicated Parslow, 2007). Although the brown rat displaced the black from over 400 islands ranging in size from 1 to 12,850 rat throughout most of the UK, black rats can still be found ha, around the world, using the full gamut of methods and in a small number of locations, particularly port cities such technology (Moors & Atkinson, 1984; Atkinson, 1985; as London, Edinburgh and Falmouth (Matheson, 1962; Towns & Broome, 2003; Howald, et al., 2007; Jones, et al., Bentley, 1959; Twigg, 1992; Long, 2003). The brown rat 2008; Parks & Wildlife Service, 2008; Parks & Wildlife is still present on 56% of UK islands over 100 ha (Long, Service, 2014, DIISE, 2015). Of these rodent eradications, 2003). the largest ground-based rat eradication operation, was on Langara Island in British Columbia at 3,100 ha, and the Rats are known to have very detrimental eff ects on largest ground-based rat eradication in the United Kingdom seabird populations through predation and competition for (UK) was on the Isle of Canna at 1,300 ha (Taylor, et al., food and habitat, causing local and global extinction of birds 2000; Bell, et al., 2011; DIISE, 2015). on islands throughout the world (Moors & Atkinson, 1984; Atkinson, 1985; Courchamp, et al., 2003; Towns, et al., Techniques and technology developed in those early 2006; Jones, et al., 2008; Bell, et al., 2016). The eradication eradications have since moved on from ground-based of introduced predators from islands has become one of hand-broadcast and bait station operations to aerially- the most important tools in avian conservation in recent applied rodenticide operations and these have now been times and, with an initial investment, signifi cant long-term used across the globe. Advances in, and alterations to, restoration benefi ts such as increased productivity and techniques and tools have streamlined ground-based population increases of seabirds and other native species operations. Lessons learnt from each eradication have as well as the establishment of new seabird species can be improved the next operation. However, in several achieved. The eradication of rats from seabird islands is countries, including the United Kingdom (but excluding recognised as a prerequisite for the restoration of seabird the United Kingdom Overseas Territories), methods to populations (Atkinson, 1985; Moors, et al.,1992). eradicate rats are restricted to ground-based methods. In: C.R. Veitch, M.N. Clout, A.R. Martin, J.C. Russell and C.J. West (eds.) (2019). Island invasives: scaling 79 up to meet the challenge, pp. 79–87. Occasional Paper SSC no. 62. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. Island invasives: scaling up to meet the challenge. Ch 1B Rodents: Review Seabird populations on many UK islands have been confi rmed until years after the operation. Unfortunately, recorded in decline and in at least four cases rats have there have been recent reports of rats on Inchgarvie and been identifi ed as one of the contributing factors for these rats reinvaded Handa in 2012 (Thomas, et al., 2017a). declines (Campbell, 1892; Brooke, 1990; Mitchell, et al., 2004; Brooke, et al., 2007; Swann, et al., 2007; Dawson, The later operations (post-1999) et al., 2015; Hayhow, et al., 2017). Many species such as puffi n (Fratercula arctica) which is listed as threatened The use of toxins and the risks these presented to non- due to their declining population status (IUCN, 2017), target species and the environment led to the development Manx shearwater (Puffi nus puffi nus) and the European of Best Practice and Standard Operating Procedures storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) may have limited for eradication operations in New Zealand in the 1990s distribution due to the impacts of, and predation by, rats and these documents are revised as new techniques and (Heaney, et al., 2002; Mavor, et al. 2008). Currently, the tools are developed (Cromarty, et al., 2002; Broome, et majority of the UK puffi n and all European storm petrel al., 2011). Robust protocols for eradication operations populations nest on rat-free islands (Mavor, et al. 2008, included detailed planning, operational requirements, Ratcliff e, et al., 2009). The protection and enhancement implementation protocols, monitoring guidelines and of UK seabird breeding habitat has been recognised biosecurity requirements (Cromarty, et al., 2002; Broome, as an important conservation priority, including under et al., 2011). These best practice and standard operating international conservation agreements (Brooke, et al., techniques developed in New Zealand were followed and 2007; Ratcliff e, et al., 2009; Dawson, et al., 2015; Thomas, adapted during the UK eradications undertaken by Wildlife et al., 2017a). Management International Ltd (WMIL). Rat eradications have occurred on over a dozen islands Five major eradications directed by WMIL have around the UK with brown rats being the most common occurred in the UK since 1999; Ramsey Island, Wales target species (Bell, et al., 2011; Thomas, et al., 2017a; Bell, (brown rat) in 1999/2000, Lundy Island, England (black et al., 2019a; Pearson, et al., 2019). Black rats have been and brown rat) in 2002–2004, Isle of Canna, Scotland targeted on Lundy Island and the Shiant Isles (Lock, 2006; (brown rat) in 2005/2006, St Agnes and Gugh, Isles of Appleton, et al., 2006; Thomas, et al., 2017a; Main, et al., Scilly, England (brown rat) in 2013/2014 and the Shiant 2019). Many of the eradications have occurred on islands Isles, Scotland (black rat) in 2015/2016. In addition to with permanent staff or the presence of small communities these fi ve sites, eradication attempts have also been made (Bell, et al., 2011; Bell, et al., 2019a; Pearson, et al., on Looe Island in 2006, the Calf of Man in 2012 and 2019). These operations demonstrate how ground-based Caldey Island in 2015, which have not been included here eradication techniques can be utilised on both inhabited because Looe Island was reinvaded by rats three years later and uninhabited islands around the UK. and the Calf of Man and Caldey Island eradications are still on-going (Thomas, et al., 2017a).

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