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Click here to go back Details of this species in Vahanga Atoll Status: Alien Invasiveness: Invasive Occurrence: Established Source: The Pacific Invasives Initiative 2006e Arrival Date: Introduction: Species Notes for this Location: Management Notes for this Location: The Société d’Ornithologie de Polynésie (SOP) MANU proposes to eradicate the Pacific rat from Vahanga Atoll with the support of the PII (Pacific Invasives Initiative). In 2000 a rat eradication was attempted on Vahanga but was unsuccessful. The eradication of the Pacific rat from Vahanga will not only provide for the recovery of threatened species, but also provide a buffer to the existing predator-free Tenararo. Location Notes: Vahanga Atoll (covering about 250 hectares) is located in the Acteon Group in the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. This area has been identified as a Key Biodiversity Area (Conservation International) and is an Important Bird Area (Birdlife International). Impacts: Other: Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) are a well-known predator of island fauna. In Hawai'i and New Zealand there are examples of detrimental effects on both burrowing petrels and on red-tailed tropicbirds. Pacific rats are also known to browse native flora (including trees, shrubs, fungi, grasses, and other herbaceous plants and lianes). Threat to endangered species: Vahanga Atoll contain small populations of the Polynesian ground dove (see Gallicolumba erythroptera in IUCN Red List of Threatened species) and the Tuamotu sandpiper (see Prosobonia cancellata in IUCN Red List of Threatened species). Both of these species disperse to Vahanga from the neighbouring atoll (Tenararo) but establishment is prevented by Pacific rats. This archipelago is also the main wintering ground for the bristle-thighed curlew (see Numenius tahitiensis in IUCN Red List of Threatened species). Last Modified: 19/07/2006 11:28:55 a.m.