Baits clear island of rats

Penguin Island has officially been declared rat-free after a baiting program eradicated up to 5000 black rats from the conservation park, increasing the chances of penguin and other seabird chicks surviving into adulthood.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob visited the island last week to commemorate the occasion and congratulated the Department of Parks and Wildlife on the program’s success.

“This is an outstanding result for one of Perth’s favourite family and nature-based destinations,” he said.

“Black rats are one of the world’s most widespread and destructive invasive animal species.

“The rats were attacking birds, eggs, penguin chicks and native skinks.”

According to DPaW, it is thought the rats made their way to the island in 2011 hidden inside packaged building materials, although they have also been known to swim distances of up to 800m.

Continuous monitoring of the island will ensure any visiting rats are swiftly dealt with, and to limit food availability for the pests, all rubbish bins have been removed.

During his visit, the minis-ter announced the opening of a new boardwalk, which was given a $460,000 upgrade during the winter months.

“The island has reopened for the summer and I would like everyone to enjoy what the island has to offer while respecting the native animals,” he said.

Sections of the boardwalk have been replaced and realigned, improving visitor accessibility and creating additional nesting habitat for the little penguins and seabirds, including the migratory bridled tern.

Surf Life Saving WA will patrol Mersey Point, the departure area for Penguin Island, on weekends from December 12 and every day throughout the school holidays.