In a monumental stride in conservation for the Cook Islands, Takutea Island is on its path to becoming rat-free.

This significant initiative, a collaborative effort led by the Te Ipukarea Society and Takutea Trust, with support from PRISMSS Predator Free Pacific Technical Leads, Island Conservation, BirdLife International, and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) through its Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) programme, demonstrates a commitment to protecting the island’s unique ecosystem.

This restoration project is crucial for both native wildlife and local communities, according to SPREP.

The project is also supported by the Cook Islands Voyaging Society, with funding supported through the Restoring Island Resilience (RIR) Project, funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme.

Volunteers carrying out the rat eradication project on Takutea Island. SPREP/24122030

Introduced invasive rats have for many years posed a persistent threat to Takutea’s biodiversity, preying on bird eggs, causing destruction to vegetation, disrupting the natural flow of nutrients from land to sea, and weakening its resilience to climate impacts.

The current eradication campaign builds on years of dedication and local engagement, aiming to restore the island’s rich habitat, strengthen its resilience to climate change and extreme weather, and support the growth of native bird populations, including globally important populations of Tavake (Red-tailed Tropicbird) and Teue (Bristle-thighed Curlew).

These efforts are crucial not only for preserving Takutea’s ecological heritage but also for enhancing food security and climate resilience for the nearby Atiu community, who are the owners and caretakers of Takutea.

Getting ready to spread the rat baits around the island. SPREP/24122033

Bildlife Pacific, programme manager for Pacific Islands Restoration, Steve Cranwell commented “in a changing climate reducing or eliminating other stressors such as invasive species is all the more critical to protecting the unique wildlife, and cultural values of Pacific Islands”.

“The eradication of rats from Takutea will help provide conditions in which birds, insects and plants can thrive in the absence of rat predation and competition.

“These benefits effecting the wider ecosystems including surrounding marine habitats helping sustain important food sources and traditional practices associated with natural resource use and it is this legacy that Cook Islanders are giving their people, places and future generations.”

The project’s comprehensive approach involves community engagement and training in invasive species management and biosecurity.

Since the start of this initiative, 16 men and two women have received specialised training, empowering local stakeholders to sustain these efforts through biosecurity practices and monitoring of the island's ecological health. Plans are underway to expand this training to include a broader range of community members, reinforcing Takutea’s ecological resilience.

Volunteers unload the baits and supplies. SPREP/24122034

Alanna Smith, the director of Te Ipukarea Society, said she was extremely impressed by the way the members of the Atiu based field team worked together with the team from Te Ipukarea Society.

She was also very appreciative of the technical assistance provided by Island Conservation and Birdlife International.

“The combined team provided the people power to cut through 45km of vegetation to clear the tracks, and then to spread all the bait ensuring every square metre of the island was covered, twice! Smith said.

Takutea’s journey began back in 2006 when the Takutea Trust asked Te Ipukarea Society to assist them with making Takutea rat-free. 

TIS sought assistance from Birdlife International and eventually managed to conduct a feasibility study in 2014.

The PRISMSS programme provided the opportunity to access additional funds to supplement the budget for the project. It was a valuable opportunity to contribute to the PRISMSS’s Predator Free Pacific (PFP) programme, led by Island Conservation, which aims to protect Pacific Island ecosystems from invasive species.

PRISMSS manager Dominic Sadler commented, “the Takutea operation shows how partnerships can lead to great results which contribute to enhancing climate resilience.”

“These coordinated efforts not only prevent the loss of native species but also bolster the resilience of local environments against the challenges posed by climate change and PRISMSS will continue to facilitate practical on ground actions to effectively manage invasive species in the region.”

Introduced invasive rats have for many years posed a persistent threat to Takutea’s biodiversity, preying on bird eggs, causing destruction to vegetation, disrupting the natural flow of nutrients from land to sea, and weakening its resilience to climate impacts. SPREP/24122036/24122039/24122040

SPREP is the executing agency for the Restoring Island Resilience project, a collaboration funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which aims to enhance Pacific Island livelihoods and climate resilience by mitigating the impacts of invasive species on both natural and agricultural ecosystems.

Ngamaru Ariki, chair of the Takutea Trust, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all partners involved, sharing, “A huge meitaki ranuinui to the Ipukarea Society, the Voyaging Society, and the team from Atiu for carrying out the rat eradication project on Takutea.”

“We believe that with the rats now eradicated from Takutea, the biodiversity on the Island will continue to prosper and the connection between the Ipukarea Society and the people of Enuamanu will continue to grow.

“Meitaki ranuinui again, from Ngamaru Ariki, Rongomatane Ariki, Parua Ariki the Mataiapo Tutaras’ of Atiu. Aumai, Tinokura, Paerangi and Makopi Mataiapo Tutara as well as the whole Atiu Community. God bless.”

A follow-up monitoring exercise is scheduled for 2025 to confirm the long-term success of the eradication on Takutea.

- SPREP