Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Pierce et al (2006) provided population estimates of shore and land birds in all eight of the
Phoenix Islands (see Table III-3.28 above).
H. MAMMALS
Maude (1937) noted that there was a small rat on all of the Phoenix Islands. This was similar
to that found in the Gilbert Islands. To control rat populations, the time honoured
expenditure of a penny a rat tail was proposed. Maude (1937) noted that the use of rat poison
bait resulted in the increase in rat populations throughout the islands.
Carter et al (1945) reported that the common rat, Rattus sp., and the house mouse, Mus sp.,
were found on the Phoenix Islands.
Bryan (1974) noted that the Polynesian rat, Rattus exulans, was present on many equatorial
islands [such as the Phoenix Islands]. These rats can be so small that they are mistakenly
identified as mice.
Anderson (2002) noted that no pre-historic faunal extinctions have been recorded yet for the
Phoenix Islands.
Neilson (2002) listed mammals that had been introduced to Abariringa (Kanton), Enderbury,
Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki (see Table III-3.31 below).
Table III-3.31. Introduced mammals to the Phoenix Islands
(source: Neilson 2002).
Species Common
name
Kiribati
name
Nikumaroro Rawaki Abariringa Enderbury Orona
(Kanton)
Sus scrofa Pig Te beeki X
Canis lupus Dog Te kamea X
Felis catus Cat Te
katamwa
X X
Oryctolagus
cuniculus
Rabbit Te rabiti X
Rattus exulans Polynesian
rat
Te kimoa X X X X
Rattus rattus Asian
black rat
Te kimoa X X
Mus musculus mouse Te kimoa
ae uarereke
X
Pierce et al (2006) identified mammals observed on Birnie, Enderbury, McKean,
Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki and compared them with previously recorded species (see
Table III-3.32 below).
Table III-3.32. Invasive mammal species in the Phoenix Islands previously
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