(i) eradicate the non-native introduced rats,

(ii) establish quarantine to prevent reintroduction of rats,

(iii) monitor and predict restoration success, and

(iv) create educational outreach to inform the people of New Zealand and California about the project.

Intensive study of the rate of loss of tïtï eggs and chicks to introduced rats, and comparisons of productivity before and after rat eradication, will allow computer simulation of rate of recovery of the Command oil spill injury post-eradication. Longer-term monitoring of tïtï abundance at fixed study plots 8 and 9 years after eradication will then check model predictions and allow more definitive prediction of ongoing restoration outcomes.

A large number of Rakiura Mäori visit the islands each year and they transport considerable quantities of food and gear from a variety of departure points. A concerted campaign to improve quarantine precautions will be instigated by this project. Rakiura Mäori scientists and managers will be employed to visit birders and urge care, to prepare posters and place poison bait stations at landing island sites. A video documentary about the restoration project will be used to heighten community awareness and quarantine efforts. The television documentary will be supplemented by CD-ROMS, interactive web-sites and a complete school educational package to educate Americans and New Zealanders about the project and need for environmental stewardship.

All methods for eradication, managing risks and monitoring outcomes have been proven and refined. Experienced and expert teams will secure funders investment in the restoration effort and make the operation safe. Recovery of the injury to tïtï is most likely to be rapid. Multiple long-term benefits to four island ecosystems and several non-target endemic species are certain additional outcomes.

International and Cross-cultural Collaboration

The Rakiura Tïtï Restoration Project promulgates a model for international and cross-cultural collaboration to mitigate the effects of a significant oil spill. Education effort will bring lasting benefits for conservation. The Rakiura Titi Restoration Project will build confidence that enlightened research, management and litigation can combine to restore environmental injury resulting from this negligence.

Sooty Shearwater breeding habitat (Photo: Melanie Massaro)

This photo shows the understory of a typical Tïtï breeding habitat (‘manu’). Thick well-developed peaty soil is pitted with breeding burrows under a tangled 3 – 7 m forest canopy. Tïtï lay an egg within burrows that can be up to 5 m long. Tïtï abundance, breeding success and productivity is determined by counting entrance holes and determining burrow occupancy using an infrared lit ‘burrowscope’ inserted down the burrows in search of eggs, chicks and breeding adults.

Taukihepa Island, looking toward the South end of Rakiura (photo: H. Nevins)

Tïtï Islands are one of the world’s treasures of endemic flora and fauna. Because the birds provide a rich nutrient supply, to the islands, the resulting vegetation is stunning. The islands edges are fringed with a canopy of silvery green-gray Teteaweka (Olearia oporina), tree daisies under which the tïtï nest. On the larger islands, such as Taukihepa larger canopy trees such as Rata (Metrosideros umbellata) occur along the semi-protected hillsides, and provide a shaded understory comprised of a diverse assemblage of ferns, hebe, punui, and climbing vines of supplejack (Ripogonum scandens). However, on islands were ship rats (Ratttus rattus) or Kiore (R. exultans) are present, there is noticeable damage to the native plants. As a result, on islands with rats the understory vegetation is less diverse than on rat-free islands.

Kakariki (photo: Jamie Newman)

This gorgeous kakariki or Red-fronted Parakeet (Cynanoramphus novaezelandiae), currently occurs in lower abundance than prior to the 1964 rat irruption on Taukihepa (Big South Cape Island). Kakariki are cavity-nesting species and thus vulnerable to disturbance from rats, also competition for food must be important in limiting the abundance of this species on rat-infested islands. Thus the tïtï restoration project should benefit these birds.

Tieke or South Island Saddleback (photo: Jamie Newman)

The truly inspiring part of this conservation project is the potential for reestablishing the Tieke (Philesturnus carunculatus) on Taukihepa Island once rats are removed. Taukihepa Island was once the last strong hold for this species, which was only found here before the rat irruption and certain eminent extinction of this species was circumvented by conservationists who removed 36 individuals from Taukihepa and place them on nearby Kaimohu and Big Islands. Since 1986, Saddlebacks from this immigrant population have been translocated to several predator-free islands throughout the known historic range, including Breaksea and Ulva Islands.

On March 20, A small gathering of birders, researchers, eradication specialists, and others involved in the project gathered together for a ceremony to bless the project at the high vantage point of Taukihepa where the surrounding islands could be addressed.
Maria sings a blessing song at the ceremony for the project (photo: Hannah Nevins)

Large insects such as Weta and beetles were more abundant on Tïtï Islands. Once ship rats invaded Taukihepa, a large flightless weevil (Hadramphus stilbocarpuae) became locally extinct. Rodents depredate invertebrates and are especially devasting to flightless forms. Rat-free islands offer valueable refuges for these species.


Stag beetle (Geodorcus spp.) observed on rat-free Pohowaitai Island (photo: H. Nevins)

A specialized helo operator deploys bait over Taukihepa (photo: Pete McClelland)