SOUTH GEORGIA ISLAND HERITAGE TRUST

Racing to Save South Georgia Island’s Wildlife

Set amid a confluence of cold Antarctic currents and the warmer waters of the north, South Georgia’s unique habitats harbor 98% of the world’s Antarctic fur seals, half of the world’s elephant seals, four species of penguins, and over 80 species of birds, including albatrosses, prions, skua, terns, sheathbills and petrels.

This wildlife — particularly ground-nesting birds such as petrels, prions and pipits —came under siege when Norway brown rats were introduced to the island by whaling and sealing ships in the late 18th century.

As the rats’ predation on nesting birds continued to spread over the next two centuries, the issue was reaching a tipping point. To address this impending wildlife disaster, in 2015 AKP supported SGHT’s island-wide efforts to eradicate the invasive rat population with a specially targeted baiting program.

A follow up survey announced in 2018 officially declared the island rodent-free. The eradication of rodents has established a future for ground-dwelling bird species island-wide. It’s a tremendous island ecosystem conservation success that we’re proud to have supported.

Looking forward, AKP will continue to support SGHT’s work to restore cultural heritage sites, manage visitor flows and implement larger landscape-level conservation initiatives.