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Introduced birds on Assumption Island — a threat to Aldabra

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

Peter Roberts
Peter Roberts
Affiliation:
3 Childscroft Road, Rainham, Kent ME8 7ST, UK.
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Abstract

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When the Indian Ocean atoll of Aldabra was added to the World Heritage List in 1982 it concluded 20 years of conservation effort to gain international recognition of its scientific importance. Its native wildlife, which is still remarkably intact, is, however, under threat. Only 27 km away, on Assumption Island, introduced bird species have established and are breeding. The author made a survey in October 1986 and among his findings was the particularly alarming discovery of a large population of red-whiskered bulbuls Pycnonotus jocosus, a nest predator of small passerines. Urgent action is required to remove the introduced species from Assumption, not only to protect Aldabra, but also to pave the way for conservation efforts on Assumption itself.

Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , January 1988 , pp. 15 - 17
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 1988

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