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New funding will make a huge difference to the wildlife of New Island in the Falklands
The future of wildlife on New Island is more secure, thanks to a successful £3m Darwin Plus funding bid.
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New Island is one of the most spectacular in the Falkland Islands archipelago. It’s home to millions of seabirds, including the world’s largest colony of Slender-billed Prions, a species of petrel found in the Southern Oceans. The island also boasts breeding populations of three species of penguin, and the Black-browed Albatross.
New Island operates as a wildlife reserve and a scientific research centre, and is managed by the charity Falklands Conservation.
An island under threat
However, the Slender-billed Prions and other New Island wildlife are under threat from four different invasive species: feral cats, black rats, mice, and rabbits. These species were introduced to the island by accident in the past 200 years, by whalers and sealers. Because this island ecosystem developed without these species, the island’s endemic wildlife is very sensitive to disturbance. New Island’s colony of White-chinned Petrels are on the brink of disappearing from the island, due to these predators. Erosion on the island is also a significant issue, in part due to climate change, but this is also exacerbated by these invasive mammals.
Due to the threats from invasive species, some species are already locally extinct on the island. This includes the Cobb’s Wren and Camel Cricket, both endemic to the Falkland Islands.
Reversing the damage
Thanks to a successful £3m application for Darwin Plus funding, the fortunes of these species could be more secure. The new funding gives the means to start an ambitious programme of work from 2025 to 2029 to conserve New Island, restore the whole island ecosystem, and make it a safe place for species such as Slender-billed Prions.
Applying established best practice techniques, from other successful island restoration programmes, we’ll attempt to remove the invasive mammals using the most humane and effective methods available. We’ll then establish robust biosecurity methods, to minimise the risk of these mammals re-establishing themselves.
Removing these target species will also lead to a range of other benefits, including restoring the natural habitats of the island, stabilising the soils, and storing carbon, which can help mitigate the effects of climate change, protecting the site for many years to come.
The funding for this programme comes from Darwin Plus. This is a UK Government grant scheme that helps improve the wildlife, environment, and resilience to climate change within the UK Overseas Territories. Unfortunately, the future of this funding stream is currently uncertain.
The programme is a partnership with the Falkland Islands Government, Falklands Conservation and the RSPB, with other local input.
Esther Bertram, CEO of Falklands Conservation, said:
The UK Government's Darwin fund has made it possible to attempt the restoration of New Island. We wouldn't be able to get out of the starting blocks on a programme of this scale without that support. We would be left with the prospect of watching ongoing degradation of this world class wildlife island. We are very thankful for the hope it offers.”
Ross James, Biosecurity, and Invasives Manager at Falklands Conservation said:
“This programme offers a rare opportunity to reverse long-term ecological damage on one of the Falklands’ most important wildlife islands. While the work is complex and challenging, the potential rewards in terms of biodiversity recovery and ecosystem resilience are extraordinary.
“If successful, the benefits would extend well beyond New Island itself, helping to restore the natural links between seabirds, the land and the surrounding marine environment.”
