Rats were eradicated from Seychelles’ D’Arros Island in 2003; by 2016, its Wedge-tailed Shearwater colony had grown nearly 10-fold to 2,768 pairs

Rats were eradicated from Seychelles’ D’Arros Island in 2003; by 2016, its Wedge-tailed Shearwater colony had grown nearly 10-fold to 2,768 pairs

D'Arros Island's Wedge-tailed Shearwater population rose dramatically after rats were eradicated in 2003. Researchers recorded 2,768 breeding pairs in 2016 and 2,406 pairs in 2021. The colony spread across a larger area and exhibited higher breeding burrow density during later surveys. The study utilized direct counts and area-based estimates to determine breeding pair numbers. Identifying the peak incubation period in November was crucial for f…