Cleaning of San Pablo

1995/02/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ingurumena

The island of St. Paul, dependent on France, is located in the Pacific and has an area of eight square kilometers. From February a plan for the recovery of the original fauna and vegetation will be applied. Biologists have received green light to end strange mammals that are endangering the island's wildlife and seabirds.

Saint Paul and his neighboring islands Amsterdan XVI. They were discovered in the 19th century. XVIII. San Pablo was colonized by French fishermen on the island of Réunion, located 3,000 km northeast of the 20th century. Fishermen cut down forests, burned plants and hunted birds and seals. Rats arrived on their boats as police and rabbits were taken to ensure fresh meat. According to biologists, half of the species of the time have disappeared thanks to the work of the new inhabitants.

Rabbits have totally altered the vegetation of St. Paul. In addition, they have caused a strong erosion.

Among the seabirds that want to be saved is the Macgillivray storm and the pale footed candle. Macgillivray is an endemic stormy bird in San Pablo and between 100 and 150 couples nest in a pedrisco located about 100 meters from the island. Biologists fear that rats cross swimming the narrow water channel and reach the rock

On the other hand, Christmas with pale legs has in San Paulo the only nest of the Pacific.

The crackdown and rabbits will begin in February. First, an inventory of the species present on the island will be carried out. A year later, 10 tons of anticoagulant pills will be dispersed across the island. If necessary 5 tons more poison will be spread per month.

Studies in New Zealand indicate that native species will not be affected by the pills. Those who fall into the sea will melt before eating edible bird fish. In addition, since rats and rabbits will die in their orifices, seabirds that eat killings once in cultivation will not be in danger of poisoning.

In the event that the proposed procedure works correctly, the same procedure will also be applied elsewhere.