With the rats eliminated, Peruvian Diving Petrels return to breed on Chile’s Pajaros Uno Island

A Peruvian Diving Petrel chick on Pajaros Uno Island, photograph from Island Conservation

Peruvian Diving Petrels Pelecanoides garnotii have returned to breed on Chile’s Pajaros Uno Island following the eradication of Black Rats Rattus rattus in 2020, confirmed as successful two years later (click here).  Two pairs of have been found breeding this year on the 70-ha island”.  “The audio recordings were played on a specialised solar-powered sound system and during the night when the sea was calm the sounds could be heard up to 300 metres away from the island.”

Pajaros Uno Island, photograph from Island Conservation

The island also supports breeding populations of Peruvian Boobies Sula variegata, Kelp Gulls Larus dominicanus and Humboldt Penguins Spheniscus humboldti.

A Peruvian Diving Petrel at sea, photograph by Island Conservation

The successful eradication effort was undertaken by the Chilean Ministry of the Environment and the environmental NGO Island Conservation.

07 June 2024