Subsequent to this paper (Headland Reference Headland2011) being submitted for publication, programmes to eradicate exotic mammals on Macquarie Island and South Georgia have made substantial progress.
With regard to the former, after delays owing to severe weather, baits for rodent eradication were laid throughout the island. Distribution of poison, release of pathogens, and hunting with dogs were also undertaken. Search and destroy operations for any surviving rabbit, rat, or mouse are to continue for several years. Early reports suggest that the programme has been very effective and most exotic mammals have been eliminated from Macquarie Island. Regeneration of the severely damaged grass areas may thus be anticipated (Tasmania Government 2011).
On South Georgia, a much larger and complex island, an experimental stage of eliminating rats from four separate areas has a preliminary report of success (South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Government 2011b). This also proved the techniques for use over the rest of the island. The island's government had come to the conclusion that the rodent eradication will also require eradication of the reindeer and that will begin from the next austral summer (perhaps the stylised reindeer will then need to be expunged from the formal escutcheon of the territory) (South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Government 2011a). Thus, in a few more summers, the island may also be free from exotic mammals. Several years of monitoring, during which the possibility of rapidly deploying control measures is maintained, will be necessary to confirm success on these islands.
The Tasmanian and Commonwealth governments in Australia provided finance for the Macquarie Island operation, while the South Georgia Heritage Trust was responsible for South Georgia. The experience thus gained, combined with that from earlier programmes, might promote remediation of even more difficult islands. It is hoped that further progress will be made and that this will be reported in Polar Record.
