Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Conditions in the Phoenix Islands (Rawaki) were only just within the level of tolerance for
rabbits (Watson 1961). Factors other than food presumably held the population down to a
level where rabbits did not seriously affect the vegetation.
Tudor (1968) reported that Rawaki (Phoenix) was overrun with rabbits.
Hydrographer of the Navy (1969) noted that the island was overrun with rabbits (see also
Clune 1951).
King (1973) reported that Rawaki (Phoenix) had European rabbits with a population of
between 100 and 1,000. According to King (1973), these rabbits were periodically harvested
by the crews of copra boats that serviced the Line Islands. King (1973) recommended that
the removal of rabbits from Rawaki (Phoenix) was of great importance.
Garnett (1983) reported that the European rabbit, Oryctolagus cunculus, was quite abundant
on Rawaki (Phoenix) numbering from 100 to 1,000. They had white, yellow, and brown
collars. Rabbits were the only mammals on Rawaki (Phoenix). Rabbits were the only
mammal on Rawaki (Phoenix).
Bevington (1990) noted that rabbits obtained water from the dew in the early morning.
Anon. (1953) noted that six wells were dug, but only salty water was obtained. Rabbits
apparently never drink water since all water was salty. Bevington (1990) reported that
rabbits shared burrows with mutton-birds.
In 2000, only a few rabbits were observed on Rawaki (Phoenix) (Yoshinaga 2002).
In 2002, the population of rabbits was estimated to be about 100 (Bukaeireiti and Rabaua
2002). One male and one female rabbit were taken to Kiritimati.
Neilson (2002) listed mammals that had been introduced to Abariringa (Kanton), Enderbury,
Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki (see Table III-3.31 above).
Neilson (2002) reported that Rawaki had a very large population of rabbits (see also Obura
and Stone 2003). The preferred food was Portulaca lutea. The rabbits appeared to have a
noticeable effect on the vegetation on Rawaki, but did not appear to have any effect on the
bird population there.
Yoshinaga (2002) reported that rabbits were abundant on Rawaki (Phoenix).
Di Piazza and Pearthree (2004) noted that Rawaki (Phoenix) was the only rat and cat-free
island in the archipelago and had the richest and densest bird breeding populations.
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 above).
Pierce et al (2006) estimated the populationof mammal species on Birnie, Enderbury,
McKean, Nikumaroro, Orona, Rawaki (see Table III-3.33 above).
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