Skuas, a native predatory bird ate rabbits, and several hundred were poisoned during the eradication process as a consequence. Skuas also prey on burrowing petrels, several of which are threatened, and this impact may increase now that rabbits are no longer available as prey.

The unintended consequences for top‐order predators when eradicating invasive prey

Travers, T., Lea, M‐A., Alderman, R., Terauds, A., Shaw, J. 2021.  Bottom‐up effect of eradications: The unintended consequences for top‐order predators when eradicating invasive prey. Journal of Applied Ecology. ; 00: 1– 11. doi:10.1111/1365-2664.13828

For more information regarding this project please contact:
Dr Justine Shaw – j.shaw6@uq.edu.au