Mice Pose a Threat to Wildlife on British Island, Raising Alarm Among Scientists

It took years to put an end to the proliferation of mice in the Isles of Scilly. Representing a danger to wildlife, particularly birds, environmental protection organizations took matters into their own hands 10 years ago. Since last Thursday, the threat has loomed again.

A worrying discovery for the Sainte-Agnès ecosystem

Recently, signs “probable” indicating the presence of a mouse have been observed on the island of Saint-Agnès, announced the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust on Facebook. These tracks include droppings and urine, clues leading to this trail. The rodent intrusion could be due to the importation of animal food.

Concern is growing among scientists, because these mice could disrupt programs to protect local species carried out for around ten years. Rodents are known to be a threat to seabird colonies. Their presence could harm their reproduction, thus endangering the local ecosystem.

Storm-petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) is the species most concerned, because the Isles of Scilly represent a cradle for the reproduction of the bird, on an international scale. Between 1983 and 2016, its population decreased by 31.3%, attests the Isle of Scilly Wildlife Trust.

A conservation program threatened by mice

The island of Sainte-Agnès benefits from a major protection program, aimed at eradicating rodents. This initiative, led by the Wildlife Trust of the Isles of Scilly, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and other partners, bore fruit: the storm petrel population was able to “bounce”.

The correlation with rodents is obvious. The eradication of Norway rats began in 2013, as part of the conservation project. From 2015, the colony reformed thanks to the absence of terrestrial predators. The following year, 9 pairs settled, reports the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.

However, the appearance of new mouse tracks threatens to undermine these efforts. In the event that “THE mice manage to settle on the island”, they could eat bird eggs and compromise reproduction, according to Tony Whitehead, an official at the RSPB. It indicates that rapid intervention is necessary.

Rapid response and prevention actions on the island

Faced with this threat, local authorities and conservation teams have set up a “rvery well developed answer”. The latter set up poisoned traps across the island of Sainte-Agnès to capture and eliminate mice. Tony Whitehead advocates “keep checking for traps.”

Residents and visitors to the island are informed of these measures, including posters put up to warn of the dangers associated with traps, particularly for children and dogs. The local community showed great solidarity, supporting protection efforts. For the manager, “the locals on the island have been brilliant and given us enormous support”.

However, vigilance remains necessary, because a spread of mice could seriously alter preservation efforts. If allowed to multiply, mice could harm seabird populations and reverse progress made in saving these unique species.