UK Overseas Territories “fifth in world league table of bird extinctions”
Put together the UK’s 16 Overseas Territories (including Falklands and South Georgia) are fifth in the world league table of bird extinctions, with at least ten species from the territories going to oblivion since 1500AD, partially or wholly because of the impact of non-native mammals, such as rats, feral cats, mice and pigs, according to BirdLife International site.
Today 33 species of bird are facing extinction on the UK OT and a new report shows that many of these are under threat because of the continued impact of introduced mammals.
The report, published in the journal Ibis, shows that one third of the species facing extinction could be helped by the removal of non-native mammals from just seven island groups in the Atlantic, Caribbean and the Pacific.
The paper’s lead author is Dr Geoff Hilton, of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and formerly of the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK). He said: “The territories are jewels of wildlife richness, many with unique species found nowhere else on earth. In addition to this the sheer density of birds on the UK overseas territories are simply staggering. In particular Gough Island and South Georgia contain tens of millions of seabirds, but both of these islands are threatened by non-native mammals.”
The RSPB’s Dr Richard Cuthbert was a co-author on the paper. He added: “Many countries around the world are removing introduced mammals from their islands, improving the fortunes for native species. The UK has ultimate responsibility for the wildlife occurring on our overseas territories and we are urging the government to take urgent action to protect these unique species.”
The paper’s authors have identified 11 islands or territories where urgent action to remove non-native mammals could make a difference to the conservation of birds facing extinction or those that are of global conservation concern.
With five species of bird found nowhere else on earth, Henderson Island – part of the Pitcairn group – is one of the richest wildlife islands in the world. However, non-native Pacific rats are threatening the future of several of these species. In particular, the rats are killing and eating 25,000 seabird chicks each year, including those of the Henderson petrel – a seabird with its only known breeding sites confined to the World Heritage site, which shares its name.
Sir David Attenborough has long been concerned about the unique wildlife of remote islands. Later today, Sir David – an RSPB Vice President – will open a reception at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office celebrating the unique natural riches of Henderson Island. Commenting on the island’s importance for birds, he said: “All of these birds are under threat because of Pacific rats, one of the few human legacies. Rats simply cannot resist eating a fluffy day-old petrel chick. Luckily, technical expertise is advancing in leaps and bounds. We now have an opportunity to rid Henderson forever of the rats and ensure the island remains a natural jewel.”
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Does that include 'people' ?
British rats ruining the world for the rest of us..........
Now be fair, there are a lot of non-natives around the world :-)
I quote from the above article :
In particular Gough Island AND SOUTH GEORGIA contain tens of millions of seabirds, but both of these islands are threatened by non-native mammals.”
More Info:
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article7052509.ece
As I said: British Rats...........
British Antarctic Survey personnel take care not to disturb the environment whilst Davidoff had military personnel from a naval supply ship Bahia Buen Suceso.
Considering the standard of hygiene practiced by Argentine occupation troops on the Islands, filling Islanders' bathtubs, beds and furniture with human excrement, there should be no difficulty in figuring where any rats came from.
And there is a cunning plan against them:
Two helicopters will sprinkle millions of pellets containing brodifacoum, a poison that kills by causing internal bleeding, excruciating pain and long agony.
That’s the way things go if you disturb the balance...........
The great Wiki mentions this urban legend:
It was often said the British Army laced the soldiers' tea with bromide to quell sexual arousal.
I could perfectly understand if the British Officers mixed it into the food or even better, inserted it rectally through huge suppositories into the soldiers but.....
Ruining a perfect cup of tea !!!
C’mon....That’s Un-British...That’s unthinkable!
think you tell them think, go get them, before the yanks get them, they have already stabbed us in the back over them. now the conservatives have sold our sole to the devil, the Americans want compensation, over [BP] the conservatives will offer up the Falklands, [as this would kill two birds with one stone, it protects the Falklands forever, and shuts up the Argentineans, ,,so go get them boys before the yank do.
For Britain, finishing the argies is still too easy. All we have to do is squat.
the the UK is ,even with its problems, still the 2nd most powerfull navy in the world, so im sorry if i frightend enyone, we are ok. a peacefull nation, always looking for peace, but ready to strike if required, so back to the blog, [sorry guys] all back to normal
I agree, remove the british from Malvinas and problem solved!
Actually, who defeated the Spanish Empire? It certainly wasn't you lot.
The British raids on Buenos Aires were raids on the territory of the Spanish Empire. Nothing to do with you colonial rebels.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4779479.stm
Quote from that article: “After a couple of days of intense street fighting, the British surrendered to an army it had considered no more than a rabble.
After losing more than half his force, the British signed a ceasefire on 7 July and left for home, where Whitelock was court-martialled and discharged”
Maybe Britain should establish a new Cruise Company designed to visit the South Atlantic Islands.
They could name it: Desolate Cold and Solitary Windjammer Cruises Ltd.
Main attractions could include:
See the Malvinas wildlife: Penguins, Sea Lions and Elephant Seals starving to death in front of your eyes because of over fishing.
Or:
Rent an authentic pair of blood stained Night Vision Googles from the Malvinas War and watch South Georgia's millions of fat greedy British Rats devouring critically endangered day-old Petrel and Albatross chicks. Alive!
That would surely appeal to most of the folks in here ;-)
The article you quote, undoubtedly after many hours of searching, is FOUR YEARS OLD. And the guy who wrote it is a military historian. Not concerned or knowledgeable about anything outside battles. And he's not even an important one. Just a lecturer. Note that Whitelock was discharged for losing. You don't get discharged for losing an unwinnable battle, you get discharged for making tactical and strategic errors. Wonder if Captain Bonzo or Rear Admiral Allara know about that?
Good article you posted. Usual good BBC quality.
Came to “Think” about something funny.....
Britain mainly wins Wars thanks their Allies!
The Germans defeated Napoleon.
The Americans and the French won WWI.
The Russian defeated Germany in WWII.
Smart!
27 Harrier, True the article is four years old, Argentina is 200 and you missed the big fiesta!
www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/view/pressrelease/coxandkings-co-uk-argentina-turns-200-enjoy-the-fiesta-with-cox-kings-travel-412927
Self-determination is ruled to be primary consideration. Argentina's stupid claims, including territorial integrity, overtaken by 21st century ruling.
Falkland Islands for ever!!
Rule Britannia!!
Maybe Britain should establish a new Cruise Company designed to visit the South Atlantic Islands
think, how did you know the british was going to do that, you are a clever boy, keep it up ,[british, mole]
Front page story, 04/08/10 on the Anti-Kirchner conservative Clarin newspaper!
www.clarin.com/politica/Lula-lidero-reclamo-derechos-Malvinas_0_310768935.html
A minimal translation of its “punchlines” for those of you that do not understand Spanish:
“New joint declaration about Malvinas and the protection of natural resources in the South Atlantic.....................”
“The signed declaration includes now not only Malvinas but also the sovereignty over the Georgias and Sandwich Islands as well as their seabed area.............................”
“The declaration, signed by the Presidents of the Six Participant States assumes the compromise NOT to facilitate any activity of vessels which can aid any hydrocarbon activities that affect the rights of the Argentine Republic in its seabed..............”
In short....
As I told you nearly two months ago: No access to our (Mercosur) infrastructure for any Malvinas hydrocarbon related business.
Not strange that MercoPress chose to miss this one :-)
Argentina DID NOT EXIST before 1853. There is no principle of valid law that underwrites the inheritance of territory. There is no treaty ceding the Islands from Spain to Argentina. The so-called “claim” in 1820 by David Jewett was made by a pirate.
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