NatureFiji-MareqetiViti has just conducted the first systematic survey of rats in three different habitats on Gau Island. The survey conducted by NFMV’s Fiji Petrel Project Officer, Eleazar O’Connor with volunteer, Theo Blossom was used to demonstrate to Nukuloa villagers rat trapping and research techniques.  The survey confirmed that Ship Rat (Rattus rattus) and Pacific Rat species (R. exulans) are present on Gau. Ship rats were only found in and around villages while the latter species was found in all three major habitats on Gau: a) The mountain ridges; b) agricultural areas; and c) populated village areas. The presence of rats in all major habitats on Gau is of concern because they are a risk to human health as well as a threat to biodiversity.

Rats are considered one of the largest threats to island biodiversity because they are highly adaptable and are generalist foragers. Their passage around the world has occurred hand in hand with human migration and rats now occur on 90% of all island archipelagos, thriving in an array of habitats. Hawaii, New Caledonia, Codfish Island and Pitcairn Island are some of the islands that have been menaced by rats and as a result have lost native birds, insects and plants.

It was of interest and surprise that no Ship Rat was recorded in the forest on Gau, a habitat where they are common on Viti Levu. NFMV will be undertaking more surveys to confirm and extend the current investigation to gauge the potential threats of  invasive rats to the Fiji Petrel.

Data is also being collected on the extent of feral pigs on Gau, a new and potentially devastating threat to the Fiji Petrel.

The Fiji Petrel project is currently funded with grants from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (www.cepf.org); the Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (www.mbzspeciesconservation.org) and the BirdLife International Community Conservation Fund.