One rewilding project shows that transplanting common species can give ecosystems a much-needed leg up. (via hakaimagazine)
By day, the shrubby clifftops of North Head, a thriving slice of bushland at the northern entrance of Sydney Harbour, Australia, are a popular walking spot for urban nature enthusiasts. But when night falls, this coastal reserve is ruled by a colony of, one of the most common native rodent species scampering along the shores of southeast Australia. For anyone lucky enough to spot one of the tennis ball–sized rodents, their endearing appearance sets them apart from their invasive relatives.
But when given the chance, bush rats can be formidable ecological gatekeepers. In 2014, Leo and her team began reintroducing bush rats to North Head to drive out their intrusive counterparts. The rewilding effort is working, with annual wildlife surveys showing that black rat numbers dropped from an estimated 112 in 2019 to 29 by 2020. In May 2021, a mere nine black rats were captured. The project harnesses the bush rat’s innate territorial streak.
While this diversity had dropped slightly by 2019, it was still comparable to that of the Muogamarra and Ku-ring-gai colonies. Leo and her team will continue to monitor the North Head rats, but she’s confident they have the genetic wherewithal to cope with any environmental shifts that might occur. And the population is slowly growing: in 2022, the team recaptured over 200 bush rats on the headland.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
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