The introduction of mammal predators to islands often results in rapid declines in the number and range of seabirds. On Ascension Island the introduction of cats in 1815 resulted in extirpation of large seabird colonies from the main island, with relict populations of most species persisting only in cat-inaccessible locations. We describe the eradication of feral cats from this large and populated island. The campaign had to minimize risk to humans and maintain domestic animals in a state that prevented them re-establishing a feral population. Feral cat numbers declined rapidly in response to the strategic deployment of poisoning and live trapping, and cats were eradicated from the island within 2 years. During the project 38% of domestic cats were killed accidentally, which caused public consternation; we make recommendations for reducing such problems in future eradications. Since the completion of the eradication campaign cat predation of adult seabirds has ceased and five seabird species have recolonized the mainland in small but increasing numbers. Breeding success of seabirds at Ascension was low compared to that of conspecifics elsewhere, and the roles of food availability, inexperience of parent birds and black rat predation in causing this warrant further investigation. It is likely that the low breeding success will result in the rate of increase in seabird populations being slow.

Removing invasive rats from islands is a powerful conservation tool, and practitioners are now targeting larger islands for rat eradication. As they do so, they face the challenge of mitigating for potential non-target impacts on native biodiversity that may be susceptible to rodenticides. We report on the eradication of black rats Rattus rattus from Anacapa Island, California, in 2001–2002, which was the first-ever invasive rodent eradication from an entire island where an endemic rodent was present and the first aerial application of a rodenticide in North America. As a mitigation strategy we staggered the rodenticide application over 2 years and held a representative sample of the Anacapa deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus anacapae in captivity. We also mitigated for bird species potentially susceptible to brodifacoum poisoning and monitored aspects of the terrestrial and marine environments. The free-ranging native rodent population severely declined following rodenticide applications but reintroduction and translocation efforts were successful, and the population quickly recovered to pre-eradication levels. Non-target impacts also included mortality of raptors, gulls and passerines, including high mortality of rufous-crowned sparrows Aimophila ruficeps obscura despite planned mitigation. All observed non-target impacts are expected to be ephemeral; however, further monitoring should reveal details on the dynamics of those impacts. Brodifacoum was not detected in the marine environment or in significant amounts in terrestrial soil, plants and arthropods. Seabird benefits from the rat eradication were quickly realized.

We present data to confirm that the island of La Palma harbours the first established feral population of ferrets Mustela furo on the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It is not known when the species was introduced but individuals occasionally lost during hunting appear to have become established sometime in the previous 2 decades. Sightings of ferrets are mainly in the north of the island but they are likely to expand their range southwards, and a few have already been detected in the centre of the island. We report a total of 45 cases of wild ferrets in 28 different localities during 1998–2007. To minimize effects on native species, control measures or eradication are required. Public awareness of the problem and education campaigns, especially among hunters, are needed to reduce the threat of this alien species to the biota of the Canary Islands.

Over the past decade conservation groups have put considerable effort into educating consumers and changing patterns of household consumption. Many groups aiming to reduce overfishing and encourage sustainable fishing practices have turned to new market-based tools, including consumer awareness campaigns and seafood certification schemes (e.g. the Marine Stewardship Council) that have been well received by the fishing and fish marketing industries and by the public in many western countries. Here, we review difficulties that may impede further progress, such as consumer confusion, lack of traceability and a lack of demonstrably improved conservation status for the fish that are meant to be protected. Despite these issues, market-based initiatives may have a place in fisheries conservation in raising awareness among consumers and in encouraging suppliers to adopt better practices. We also present several additional avenues for market-based conservation measures that may strengthen or complement current initiatives, such as working higher in the demand chain, connecting seafood security to climate change via life cycle analysis, diverting small fish away from the fishmeal industry into human food markets, and the elimination of fisheries subsidies. Finally, as was done with greenhouse gas emissions, scientists, conservation groups and governments should set seafood consumption targets.

Fiji's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan encourages refinements to conservation priorities based on analyses of new information. Here we propose a network of Priority Forests for Conservation based on a synthesis of new studies and data that have become available since legislation of the Action Plan in 2001. For selection of Priority Forests we considered minimum-area requirements for some native species, representation goals for Fiji's habitats and species assemblages, key ecological processes and the practical realities of conservation areas in Fiji. Forty Priority Forests that cover 23% of Fiji's total land area and 58% of Fiji's remaining native forest were identified. The analysis confirms the majority of conservation priority areas previously identified, recommends several new areas, and supports the Government of Fiji's policy goal of protecting 40% of remaining natural forests to achieve the goals of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and sustain ecosystem services for Fijian communities and economies.

The small, isolated populations of the Nicobar megapode Megapodius nicobariensis, currently categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, on the Nicobar islands in the Indian Ocean have declined by c. 70% since 1994. The 2004 tsunami is believed to be the major cause of this decline. The populations of megapodes on the islands of Megapode and Trax were wiped out by the tsunami. I estimate from a 2006 survey that 395–790 breeding pairs of the Nicobar megapode now survive on the coasts of the various islands compared to 2,318–4,056 pairs in 1994. The tsunami also adversely influenced nest-site selection and mound-nest ecology: > 50% of mounds were found closer to the shore in 2006 than in 1994, probably because of loss of suitable habitat, and they may become inundated with seawater during high tides. Most of the mound-nests found were constructed after the tsunami and were significantly smaller in volume than those present in 1994. Restoration of suitable habitat is critical for the long-term viability of the Nicobar megapode. However, post-tsunami impacts such as the creation of large-scale plantations in coastal areas, which are encroaching upon megapode habitat, may be severe. Because of the decline in numbers and habitat destruction and hunting the Nicobar megapode probably now qualifies for categorization as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

The Galapagos Archipelago is renowned for its high endemism but little effort has been made to quantify the human disturbance that compromises the islands' ecological integrity. We provide a quantitative assessment of anthropogenic degradation, which we define as areas either transformed by direct human activity or heavily invaded by four of the most prevalent alien plant species (Psidium guajava, Rubus niveus, Cinchona pubescens and Syzygium jambos). We assessed how the amount of degraded area varied among the six major vegetation zones (bare ground, littoral, arid, transition, humid and very humid) across five inhabited or formerly inhabited islands. Overall, we found that 37,833 ha (5.5%) of the Archipelago have been completely degraded. The islands that have suffered the greatest human impact (13,000–14,000 ha each) are Santa Cruz (the most populous) and Isabela (the largest). When vegetation type is considered the humid and very humid vegetation zones have been most affected by humans (29 and 45%, respectively). On San Cristobal and Santa Cruz 100 and 76%, respectively, of the very humid zone and 94 and 88%, respectively, of the humid zone have been transformed. These results are underestimations as mapping of the anthropogenic change in some vegetation zones (e.g. on Floreana) is poor, and the analysis did not take into account the effects of introduced animals. Nevertheless, this research points to an urgent need to prioritize restoration efforts in humid and very humid vegetation zones and to improve spatial mapping across the Archipelago to obtain a better understanding of the impacts of humans.

The giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis was hunted almost to extinction in the Peruvian Amazon during a period of professional trade in wild animal skins during 1920–1973. In 1973 the Department of Agriculture of Peru (INRENA) prohibited commercial hunting in the Peruvian Amazon, and the giant otter was included in Appendix I of CITES. From 1973 to 2004 giant otter populations experienced a slow recovery in numerous rivers of the Peruvian Amazon. Here, we report the population growth of the giant otter on the Yavarí-Mirín and Yavarí Rivers in north-east Peru. The first evaluations of giant otter populations in these rivers, in which no individuals were sighted, were in 1992–1993. During surveys in 1996 and 1997 two individuals were sighted. In 2001, 19 individuals were sighted and in 2003 and 2004, 41 individuals were observed. This increase demonstrates a slow recovery and shows that the population has not yet reached its carrying capacity. The prohibition of international trade in otter skins by CITES, supported by INRENA, helped the population recover and was important in the conservation of this species.

The white-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari is a social ungulate that forms the largest groups documented for any tropical forest ungulate species. Since the 1950s the species has become increasingly rare in Mesoamerica, and the more frequent reporting of smaller groups may be related to increased hunting pressure. Here we address the conservation status of this species in terms of its group size and structure, breeding season, population density, and relationship with hunting patterns in the Calakmul region of southern Mexico. Group sizes, age structure and breeding season were recorded in one large non-hunted site (Calakmul Biosphere Reserve) and four adjacent hunted sites. Population density was estimated in the Reserve and hunting patterns were recorded from three adjacent villages. Results indicate that hunting pressure affects peccary populations by reducing group size. White-lipped peccary groups were larger in the Reserve (median = 25) than in the hunted areas (median = 16) but groups were generally smaller than those reported in other forests. These smaller group sizes indicate conservation concern for this species in the Calakmul region. In addition, the estimated population (0.43 km2) is one of the lowest reported for this species. Hunting occurs mainly in the dry season, which is the peak of the breeding season and when peccary groups visit water bodies, where they are more easily hunted.

We assessed the importance of potential sources of mortality for the Vulnerable southern pudu Pudu puda in southern Chile using the clinical records of wildlife rehabilitation centres, necropsies of animals found in the field and a review of the diet of potential predators. To assess whether the identified mortality sources operate in nominally protected areas, we conducted a camera-trap survey in two areas to determine the presence of pudus and their potential predators. Predation by domestic dogs Canis lupus familiaris and car collisions were the commonest causes of pudu admissions to rehabilitation centres (35 of 44) and of deaths of animals encountered opportunistically in the field (seven of 14). Field data suggest that poaching could also be an important threat to pudus. Pudus were detected in both areas surveyed, accounting for 15.6% of mammal detections. Dogs accounted for 47.8% of all detections of potential predator species, followed by pumas Puma concolor (17.4%), guignas Leopardus guigna (17.4%) and chilla foxes Lycalopex griseus (17.4%). The literature survey implicated only pumas as important pudu predators among native carnivores. Our data suggest that, aside from forest loss, dogs, road kills and probably poaching are important concerns for pudu conservation. Our frequent detections of free-ranging dogs associated with roads within nominally protected areas suggest that long-term efforts to conserve pudu will require not only the protection of remnant native forest but also substantive environmental education to modify dog management near protected areas.

We report the first estimate of jaguar density in the semi-arid caatinga biome of north-eastern Brazil. During August–October 2007, in the Serra da Capivara National Park, we used camera traps to identify and count jaguars. Jaguar abundance and density were calculated using mark-recapture models. In a sampling effort of 1,249 camera-trap-nights we identified 12 adult jaguars and estimated an abundance of 14 ± SE 3.6 jaguars in an area of 524 km2, i.e. a density of 2.67 ± SE 1.00 jaguars per 100 km2. This estimate is higher than in most other Brazilian biomes and indicates Serra da Capivara National Park as an important reserve for protecting jaguars in north-eastern Brazil.

The Tucumán parrot Amazona tucumana is restricted to the southern Yungas mountains, from south-eastern Bolivia to north-western Argentina, and has undergone intense capture for the pet trade. We provide updated information on the status of the Bolivian population of the species and past capture levels for the international pet trade. We surveyed 18 sites during the non-breeding season in 2006 and 2007 and recorded a total of 1,643 individuals. In the 1980s 5,400 Tucumán parrots were captured for the international pet trade before the species was listed on CITES Appendix I. Capture of the Tucumán parrot for local trade appears to continue but at a reduced scale. Available evidence from this study and from Argentina indicates a need to change the categorization of the species on the IUCN Red List from Near Threatened to Vulnerable.

Amphibians are one of the most threatened animal groups. In the Family Centrolenidae c. 50% of the species are declining and threatened with extinction. One of these is the glassfrog Cochranella mache, endemic to seasonal evergreen forests of the West Ecuadorian region and restricted to highly fragmented forest of < 100 km2 in the Cordillera Mache-Chindul, north-western coastal Ecuador, at 100–640 m. We surveyed this region to elucidate the distribution and conservation status of C. mache. We located it in three new localities and also found a museum specimen from a further new locality. We recommend that the species should be categorized as Critically Endangered because of the continuous and progressive destruction of its increasingly fragmented habitat. Recent surveys of glassfrog species sympatric with C. mache showed low relative abundances compared to surveys in the 1970s and 1980s. Because of the relationship between forest and local climate we suggest that gradual declines of lowland glassfrog populations may be caused by local climate changes produced by forest destruction. In situ conservation is required to halt and mitigate these impacts. Further research on the effects of habitat loss, fragmentation, and associated climate changes on Neotropical amphibians is required.

Sacred sites, particularly in forests, often form unofficial protected areas because their biodiversity is preserved and protected by the local people looking after the sites. Here, we survey the biodiversity of the Three Sisters Cave complex, a sacred site or kaya in a fragment of East African coastal forest in south-east Kenya. We show that, despite the tiny size of this non-gazetted forest reserve, it contains many of the threatened species of both flora (121 species) and fauna (46 species) representative of Kenya's coastal forest. Following the overexploitation and widespread destruction of coastal rainforests in Kenya, such sacred sites represent key biodiversity hotspots as well as forest islands in the now largely deforested coastal plain. Other non-gazetted forest sacred sites may represent undocumented sources of biodiversity that may contribute towards conservation of this threatened coastal habitat.

The Critically Endangered western lowland gorilla Gorilla gorilla gorilla is found at high density in the swamp forests of Lac Télé Community Reserve, northern Republic of Congo. Preliminary surveys for apes on the Reserve periphery in the 1990s indicated that this area may also contain high densities of apes and we wished to verify this. Using distance sampling methodology we surveyed 1,029 km2 of the south-eastern Reserve periphery including Raphia swamp forests. We recorded 1,021 ape nests along 21 2-km transects. Results indicated that ape density estimated from nest group density, excluding old and very old Raphia nests (which may decay slowly), was very high: 6.81 weaned apes km-2 (95% confidence interval 3.93–11.84). Gorillas built most of the nests recorded: their density was estimated at 5.25 individuals km-2 (2.70–10.19). Most nests were constructed in Raphia swamp forest despite it covering only 25% of the study area. These are among the highest recorded densities of apes in Central Africa but, as nest decay rates in swamps are unstudied, we also estimated densities based on hypothetically slow nest decay rates and published data from other habitats. Gorilla densities may be linked to availability of monocotyledons as food and the natural protection from hunting offered by Raphia swamps. Gorilla density in swamp forest is spatially and temporally variable and surveys are required to estimate ape populations elsewhere in this habitat. Most Raphia swamps in Congo are unprotected, including the periphery of Lac Télé Community Reserve; protection and management are required to assure their continued availability for apes.