Trends and tactics of mouse predation on Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena chicks at Gough Island, South Atlantic Ocean

A significant increase in mouse predation on Tristan Albatross chicks at Gough Island has been identified, with predation rates rising from 2% to 10% over a decade. This study highlights the escalating threat posed by invasive house mice (Mus domesticus) to one of the world's rarest seabirds, the Tristan Albatross (Diomedea dabbenena), which is endemic to Gough Island. Researchers employed long-term monitoring and direct observation to document predation tactics, including nocturnal attacks on chicks in burrows, revealing how mice exploit albatross nesting behaviors. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted conservation measures to mitigate this growing threat.

Davies, D., Dilley, B. J., Bond, A. L., Cuthbert, R. J., & Ryan, P. G. (2015). Trends and tactics of mouse predation on Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena chicks at Gough Island, South Atlantic Ocean. Avian Conservation and Ecology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.5751/ace-00738-100105