Biodiversity Values

Ahnd Atoll is home to 13 species of reptiles (including hawksbill and green turtles), 25 birds, 7 mammals and several species of land and coconut crabs, along with hundreds of other marine species. Wolouna, one islet currently free from rats, is a significant seabird site; one of only three largely intact seabird colonies remaining in Micronesia. Eradicating rats from the remaining islets of the atoll is likely to lead to the re-colonization and expansion of this seabird colony, dramatically increasing the available breeding habitat in the region.

 

The Invasive Species

Gregg Howald and Pig damage on Ahnd Atoll (Alex Wegmann)

The Pacific rat (Rattus exulans) and the black rat (Rattus rattus) are both present on Ahnd Atoll. These rats are preying on birds, turtle eggs, coconut crabs, lizards and invertebrates.
Feral cats (Felis catus), pigs (Sus scrofa) and dogs (Canis lupus) have also been reported on some of the islets. These invasives are also likely to be having major impacts as predators. Feral pigs are also known to disturb and modify habitats.

Project Description

A study led by Gregg Howald (Island Conservation) to assess the feasibility of eradicating rats was completed in May 2006. As a result of this feasibility study it was determined to undertake some trials and to build further capacity on smaller islands in Pohnpei before attempting rat eradication on Ahnd Atoll itself. Island Conservation, in collaboration with the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP), and with support from the Pacific Invasives Initiative (PII), the Pacific Invasives Learning Network (PILN), Pohnpei State Government, the Pohnpei Invasive Species Task Force, RARE, The Nature Conservancy, the Micronesia Conservation Trust and the Nanpei family initiated the following actions:

1. Undertake trial rat eradications on small islands off the coast of Pohnpei.

2. Host an eradication skills development workshop.

3. Arrange a symposium to discuss invasive mammal eradications on islands in Micronesia.

These event’s involve “skills-sharing” with participants from Micronesia, Fiji, Samoa, French Polynesia and New Caledonia attending in order to gain and pass-on skills and perspectives. The objective of these skills-sharing activities are to build capacity in the Pacific to undertake further invasive species management projects – including the eradication of rats from Ahnd Atoll.

In addition to supporting the attendance of several practitioners to these events, the PII Coordinating Team also assisted in providing advice on project design and facilitating technical review of the trial eradication plan. The PII also arranged and supported the attendance of an experienced New Zealand Department of Conservation eradication specialist to accompany a PII Coordinating Team member to participate in these events

Funding

Funding for the feasibility study was provided through Conservation International’s Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF) using funds sourced from the Australian Government's Regional Natural Heritage Program (RNHP).

Funding for the trial eradication and skills development workshop was provided by the Micronesia Conservation Trust. NZAID funding was used to fund participants whom were involved in PII supported Demonstration Projects from Fiji and Samoa to these skill sharing events. William Nagle (PII) and Andy Roberts (DOC) were also supported using NZAID funding.

Project Partners

A large number of organisations have supported this initiative to date including the Pohnpei State government, the Pohnpei Invasive Species Task Force, the Pacific Invasives Initiative, Island Conservation, the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP), RARE, The Nature Conservancy, the Micronesia Conservation Trust and the Nanpei family.

PII Contact

Alan Saunders – (a.saunders@auckland.ac.nz)

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Last updated 27 May 2008