First steps to the introduction of endemic rodents in Bainbridge
May 15, 2003
Fearing that the small population of endemic rodents in Santiago were under threat of extinction, scientists from CDRS have decided to create a reserve on Bainbridge islets, near to Santiago. The first stage was the eradication of the black rats that were present on four of the six islets. The work started in 2000 and by 2002 no black rats had been detected on two of the islets. Once the total eradication has been confirmed, the program will extend to the two other islets where there are still black rats. It should be noted that the eradication of rats is a notoriously difficult job and, historically, has had limited success but we hope Galapagos will prove to be different.
Press Contact:
Charles Darwin Research Station
Galapagos-Ecuador
E-mail: cdrs@fcdarwin.org.ec
Visit: www.darwinfoundation.org
Phone/Fax: 593-5-526-147/146