Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2006L03945:body:0:p6
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2006L03945
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 13329–16116

since 2000 and these efforts have considerably reduced the number of feral cats, at least for short periods. The threat has not been eliminated and the control program is continuing. Surveys conducted by Algar et al. (2002) found no evidence of cat presence on the other islands on the SA and no cats occur on North Keeling Island. Complete eradication of cats from any SA island targeted for reintroduction should occur prior to any translocation.

Rats (Rattus sp.)  The threat posed by rats primarily is the predation of eggs and young birds, and potentially competition for invertebrate food. Although there is currently no direct evidence that rats preyed on CBBR, they are known to prey on the eggs and chicks of a wide range of smaller seabirds and land birds, and particularly on rails on isolated islands (Steadman & Martin 2003). Rats have been implicated in the extinction of five endemic forest bird species and the decline of a number of other birds on Lord Howe Island, impacted two species of seabirds and four forest species on Norfolk Island, directly impacted six species of seabirds on Macquarie Island, and have eradicated breeding populations of two species of noddy (Anous spp.) on Bedout Island (Anon. 2005). Rats were believed to have played a role in decline of birds on the Southern Atoll of the CKI by both Gibson-Hill (1949) and Stokes et al. (1984).

Black Rats (R. rattus) are known to be present on most islands of the Southern Atoll, but are not currently on North Keeling Island. Brown Rats R. norwegicus), although not listed as being present on the Southern Atoll by Gibson Hill (1948), had been recorded earlier by mammalogist, Wood-Jones (1909). In the absence of recent definitive studies, the presence of Brown Rat should not be ruled out. Complete eradication of rats from any Southern Atoll island targeted for reintroduction should occur as part of a reintroduction program and prior to translocation.

Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) and Green Junglefowl (G. varius) (feral chickens)  Two species of introduced chicken occur on the Southern Atoll. The Red Junglefowl occurs on virtually all islands and is kept domestically, both free ranging and enclosed by residents. It is less common on West Island where the Green Junglefowl was introduced and has successfully established a large population. Junglefowls and the CBBR are ecologically very similar, particularly in their ground-foraging habit, dietary catholicism, food items, and manner of feeding. Combined with habitat modifications and the loss of seabirds from the Southern Atoll islands, the ecosystem may not be able to accommodate two species sharing similar niches, with the larger junglefowls likely to be the more successful competitor. The eradication of feral chickens would be