Rangers are celebrating the official eradication of mice on a southern Great Barrier Reef Island after years of battling the invasive pest. Exports say it'll allow seabird populations to recover and native species to thrive. This idyllic coral-k off the central Queensland coast is one of Australia's most significant seabird nesting sites. But as Northwest Islands popularity with campers has grown, so too has the house mouse population, with rodents hitching a ride from the mainland. It's fair to say it was fairly infested with mice. The mice attack nesting seabirds and destroy native vegetation. It became a concern during 2016 to sort of 2019 we did surveys and noticed a 40% drop in the shear water population which is quite significant. Rangers began a two-year eradication project in 2020. I think at 119 of the 120 trap sites we detected mice. After three runs of aerial baiting and two years of monitoring tracks, the island is officially mouse free. Please sit the last trap, no mice. The bad life will be farish a lot more and of course the camp will be happier. Experts say it provides hope for other islands battling invasive species. I think every success that we can show where we've eradicated pests from islands is a win for conservation. Sovalans will continue with campers urged to check their gear before leaving the mainland. Erin Semla, ABC News, Northwest Island.