Population status, breeding success and ecology of the Henderson Petrel after a failed rat eradication on Henderson Island

A study on Henderson Island, a critical breeding site for the endangered Henderson Petrel (Pterodroma atrata), found no evidence of population decline despite a failed rat eradication attempt in 2011. Researchers compared data from 1991 and 2015, estimating the current population size at 19,987 pairs—slightly higher than the previous estimate of 18,668. Nest survival was recorded at 28.5%, with most failures occurring within a week of hatching due to predation by rats or crabs. Breeding success appeared stable, suggesting the population may remain resilient despite ongoing threats. The study highlights the challenges of conservation efforts in subtropical island ecosystems and underscores the need for continued monitoring.

Oppel, S., Lavers, J. L., Donaldson, A. H., Forrest, A. K., McClelland, G. T. W., Bond, A. L., & Brooke, M. d. L. (2017). Population status, breeding success and ecology of the Henderson Petrel after a failed rat eradication on Henderson Island. Emu - Austral Ornithology, 117(2), 151–159. https://doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2017.1292610