By: Susan White, Incident Commander
The operations team successfully ended the application phase of the Palmyra rat removal project. Some team members returned to their homes on June 30th while others continued on with the ship, the Research Vessel Aquila, to other islands in the Pacific to conduct similar projects. A few team members remain on Palmyra, including the on-site veterinarian and Fish and Wildlife Service staff to care for the shorebirds in captivity. All the shorebirds and geckos in captivity continue to do well.
Monitoring was done throughout the month of June, and post application monitoring is well underway. Aerial and canopy bait application was completed on June 26 so bait should still be available to rats across the atoll.
The Palmyra Atoll Research Consortium (PARC) research season begins later this month. For more information on PARC, visit www.palmyraresearch.org.
We are all extremely proud to have been part of this project!
Aerial view of Palmyra Atoll Photo: Island Conservation/R. Stansbury
Island Restoration Specialist with the Aquila. Photo: Island Conservation/R. Stansbury
Bristle-thighed Curlew on Palmyra. Photo: Island Conservation/R. Stansbury
Aerial View of Sooty Terns on Palmyra Atoll. Photo: Island Conservation/R. Stansbury
Red-footed Booby on Palmyra Atoll. Photo: Island Conservation/R. Stansbury
Fairy Tern on Palmyra Atoll. Photo: Island Conservation/R. Stansbury
