Feasibility assessment of the eradication of ship rats (R.rattus) and kiore (R.exulans) from Palmerston Atoll, Cook Islands

Abstract

This report assesses the feasibility of eradicating rats from Palmerston Atoll – a small inhabited Atoll located in the Southern Cook Island group. The project was originally requested by the community so has social acceptance and political support. The project is being funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Managing Invasive Species for Climate Change Adaptation in the Pacific project. The Department of Conservation are leading the operational planning and delivery of the project, in collaboration with multiple Cook Island partner agencies and the Palmerston Island community. The feasibility study reviews why the eradication is being done; whether it is achievable; sustainable and acceptable; and identifies what the key issues and dependencies are; and proposes the next steps if the project is to proceed. Rats are present on two islands within the Atoll, over a total operational area of 71 hectares. Ship rats and kiore and present on the inhabited island (Palmerston/Home Island), while only kiore are present on Cooks motu. Rats have a significant impact of the livelihoods of the residents on the Atoll, and the elimination of these impacts, in addition to the biodiversity gains eradicating rats will bring, is the driver for the proposed project.