Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 6. Environmental Issues, Regulations, and Agreements
Draft 1 March 2007
EXOTIC SPECIES
Garnett (1983c) identified priority actions for exotic species in the Phoenix Islands:
1) Eliminate feral cats on Enderbury;
2) Eliminate feral animals (cats, dogs, pigs) on Orona (Hull);
3) Eradicate feral cats and dogs on Abariringa (Canton); and
4) Assess impact of rabbits on the ecosystem on Rawaki (Phoenix), eradicate as
necessary.
Pierce et al (2006) identified high priority actions for exotic species in the Phoenix Islands:
1) Incorporate pest eradication plans into the conservation management plan
including biosecurity measures to prevent reinvasion of mammals and
invasive ants and plant pests.
2) Eradicate the rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, from Rawaki.
3) Eradicate the Asian rat, Rattus tanezumi, from McKean.
4) Eradicate the Pacific rat, Rattus exulans, from Birnie.
Pierce et al (2006) also identified second level priority actions for exotic species in the
Phoenix islands:
1) Eradicate the Pacific rat, Rattus exulans, from Enderbury.
2) Completed follow-up surveys to confirm pest status on Orona, Nikumaroro,
and Manra, and seabird diversity on Abariringa (Kanton) and Manra.
3) Monitor seabird populations on above islands.
4) Eradicate cats (and rodents if present) on Orona.
Finally, Pierce et al (2006) suggested that after priority issues were completed, eradication
plans could be developed for pests on Nikumaroro, Manra, and the small islets inside the
entrance to Abariringa (Kanton) lagoon.
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