Australia removed rabbits; petrel colony grew to over 800 breeding pairs
Conservationists successfully restored the Gould's petrel population on Cabbage Tree Island by eradicating invasive European rabbits. The removal of these pests allowed native vegetation to recover, providing the necessary habitat for the seabirds to thrive.
Why it matters
This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of invasive species management in restoring biodiversity and protecting threatened wildlife populations.
What do rabbits have to do with saving a rare seabird? On a small island off the coast of New South Wales, their presence was damaging the very habitat Gould’s petrels needed to survive. Getting rid of them became an important part of a much larger conservation effort. In 1997, conservationists successfully eradicated rabbits from Cabbage Tree Island as they worked to protect the seabird and its breeding grounds. According to the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, conservationists worked to restore Gould’s petrel habitat and establish a second breeding colony on nearby Boondelbah Island. By 2000, the island was home to more than 800 breeding pairs, producing over 400 young annually.
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