How an island full of rats and goats in the Caribbean turned into a precious paradise

There are no spas, no beaches, no services and its contribution to the GDP is practically zero. However, it is estimated that round, a rocky caribbean island of rock barely 1.6 km long, it is one of the region’s most valuable sites.

Without having had human contact for practically centuries, the lesser-known island of Antigua and Barbuda has long been a key nesting site for migratory birds around the world and a home for wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.

When environmentalists began to conceive of wiping out thousands of invasive black rats and a herd of feral goats, it seemed like an ambitious plan at best.

Five years later, what was once a desert land is now a fertile ecological paradise, teeming with new vegetation, while bird and lizard populations flourished.

Work started on 2016, but it was known for its success 18 months ago, when conservationists came to the scene to verify it.

Shanna Challenger, organisation Environmental awareness group (EAG), which has returned to work with the government and international agencies, said it was an “emotional moment”.

“It was such a stark contrast to the first time I saw Redonda in 2016, when he was literally crashing into the sea,” he recalls.

“As the helicopter approached, I could see all these small green circles and I realized that they were new trees and shrubs. Not only has the vegetation recovered, but it is flourishing ”.

the longhorn goats, which they moved during the reclamation project, had been introduced by the first settlers 300 years ago. They ate almost all of Redonda’s plants to the point of starving.

The rodents, which arrived in the 19th century from communities that mined guano, fed on reptiles, and ate the eggs of rare birds.

Eliminating both species was a challenge.

The goats, unaccustomed to human contact, were cornered and transferred to the mainland by helicopter, on farms whose owners wanted to breed them for their drought-tolerant genes.

Eradicating rats involved the arduous task of distribution bait In all the cracks and holes in the landscape.

It was baits of all kinds, from peanut butter to chocolate, “to make sure we catch picky eaters,” says Challenger.

These contained a irresistible pesticide for rats but unpleasant for birds and reptiles.

Fauna & Flora International (FFI), which was also involved in the project, has successfully removed non-native mammals from around 25 islands since 1995, but says Redonda’s volcanic topography presented particular obstacles.

The severe erosion caused by deforestation has left the island dangerously unstable with cliffs on the verge of collapse and frequent rock falls

“We also dropped bait from helicopters and climbers came down from the cliffs to make sure we weren’t overhanging anywhere on the island,” says Challenger.

Redonda was officially declared rat and goat free in July 2018.

But the team continued to travel to the island to monitor progress before transportation issues were exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Brown biters with their chicks, tropical birds with red beaks, fregatas and peregrine falcons were among the birds who received them on their return.

“And don’t make me talk about the LizardsChallenger said with a smile. “The fact that there is vegetation means that there are more insects to eat and their population has increased a lot. They literally crush you ”.

“It was a moment of humility to see these critically endangered species able to thrive in a suitable habitat, and the impact of our work reflected in such an obvious and visual way.

According to FFI, the island’s lizard population (Redonda anole) has increased eightfold.

Likewise, the amount of plant species (formerly 17, now 88), including a new ficus tree, cacti and ferns, while more than a dozen species of land birds have reappeared.

The team was also pleasantly surprised by found no sign of the presence of rats.

1% of brown piqueteros in the world are from Redonda, he tells the BBC Helena Jeffery-Brown, from the government’s Ministry of the Environment.

“It was amazing to rehabilitate the home of a globally significant species,” he says.

“Historically, we couldn’t take a step in Redonda without walking on bird eggs and little by little we are returning to the island where it was. I am extremely satisfied with what we have accomplished ”.

Jenny Daltry of FFI says Redonda is “A model” how other Caribbean islands that have been colonized by invasive species that have devastated native wildlife can recover.

“Before our eyes and faster than we thought possible, the bare rock that was round turned into a wonderful green island ”, Explain.

“At a time when much of the information about the state of our planet is understandably depressing, the rebirth of this island It shows that if we give nature a chance, it can bounce back and it will bounce back.

By Gemma Handy

BBC Mundo