But tragically much of Norfolk Island’s incredible wildlife is also in trouble. Forty-six plants, five birds, two reptiles and five land snails are listed as threatened under Australia’s national environmental law.
Invasive species such as rat, cats, Argentine ants and others are a key threat to many of the islands’ native species. Predation by the black rat, for example, is a specific threat to the golden whistler, scarlet robin, green parrot, most nesting seabirds, endemic reptiles,
land snails and other invertebrate species. It is also a threat to the plant species Achyranthes arborescens, Melicope littoralis, Meryta latifolia and Ungeria floribunda via consumption of seeds and fruits, which has had the result of restricting regeneration.
Protecting the biodiversity of Norfolk Island requires ongoing vigilance to prevent new pest incursions and the effective control, and potentially complete eradication, of existing invasive species. The Invasive Species Council, together with TierraMar and our partners on the island have been engaged in these efforts for more than five years.