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Reclaiming South Georgia from rats: a world leading project

Wednesday, December 30th 2015 - 01:01 UTC
Full article 6 comments
Every photo in the book was taken by a member of ‘Team Rat’, as the field team is affectionately known. Every photo in the book was taken by a member of ‘Team Rat’, as the field team is affectionately known.
The story is a personal account by Project Director Professor Tony Martin of the considerable challenges and triumphs involved in routing the furry invaders. The story is a personal account by Project Director Professor Tony Martin of the considerable challenges and triumphs involved in routing the furry invaders.

Reclaiming South Georgia is the story of the SGHT Habitat Restoration Project fieldwork that took place on South Georgia in three phases (in 2011, 2013 and 2015). The latest edition of South Georgia Newsletter says that text and photographs tell the story of how this world-leading project baited every square inch of rodent-infested land on the island.

Although the main baiting phase was completed earlier this year, the project is far from finished. Much work remains to be done in the coming years to check if rodents have indeed gone and this book has been created to raise funds for this crucial monitoring phase of the project.

Every photo in the book was taken by a member of ‘Team Rat’, as the field team is affectionately known. The story is a personal account by Project Director Professor Tony Martin of the considerable challenges and triumphs involved in routing the furry invaders.

‘Reclaiming South Georgia’ is an inspiring story of how a globally important wildlife haven, badly damaged by human intervention, was set on the road to recovery by humans of a later generation. … In a world of seemingly endless bad news about the environment, this is a rare story of hope and success in the face of huge challenges.

“Reclaiming South Georgia, The defeat of furry invaders on a sub-Antarctic island” by Tony Martin and Team Rat, is available from the SGHT online shop http://www.sghtonline.gs/Reclaiming-South-Georgia.
 

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  • ilsen

    Considering the Mercopress tradition of the VERY late reporting of already renowned World-events, may I be permitted to add a more 'en vogue' commentary, and, possibly bring us all 'up-to-date', my dah-links ..?
    (see what I did there (links), lol!
    --------
    “Reclaiming South Georgia from rats: a world leading project”, so says they...
    --
    hmmm... now if I recall correctly...

    -First Stage Successful - Announces UN Pest Control Ambassador to - Those Who Are That Stupid, (TWATS).

    :-)

    anyhoo.... here's the history bit, kids! Remember, this could be an exam Question!
    (ref. 1982)
    Quote: Margaret Thatcher:
    “ Ladies and gentlemen. The Secretary of State for Defence has just come over to give me some very good news and I think you'd like to have it at once.
    [BBC Radio News Report begins:]
    The message we have got is that British troops landed on South Georgia this afternoon, shortly after 4 pm London time. They have now successfully taken control of Grytviken; at about 6 pm London time, the white flag was hoisted in Grytviken [...]. Shortly afterwards, the Argentine forces there surrendered to British forces. The Argentine forces offered only limited resistance to the British troops. Our forces were landed by helicopter and were supported by a number of warships, together with a Royal Fleet Auxiliary. During the first phase of this opinion, our own helicopters engaged the Argentine submarine, Santa Fé, off South Georgia. This submarine was detected at first light and was engaged because it posed a threat to our men and to the British warships launching the landing. So far, no British casualties have been reported. At present we have no information on the Argentine casualty position. The Commander of the operation has sent the following message:”Be pleased to inform Her Majesty that the White Ensign flies alongside the Union Jack in South Georgia. God save the Queen.“
    [...]
    Just rejoice at that news and congratulate our forces and the marines.
    Goodnight.”
    [End of Broadcast]

    Dec 30th, 2015 - 03:07 am 0
  • Conqueror

    Indeed. Such good reasons to never let another “rat” land. Difficult to distinguish between a “rat” and an “argie”. Difficult to distinguish between a “rat” and a “so_am”.

    Once again, British troops led a “rat” extermination programme. Why wasn't Astiz shot on the beach? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfredo_Astiz
    But then British troops understand the rule of law. Many British troops have been diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Argie troops have been diagnosed with CRAS (cowardly run away syndrome. How unfortunate that Britain couldn't send a thousand aircraft to obliterate argieland. We wouldn't have to “discuss” this subject. A comparison. Why did we obliterate nazi germany? Then, even now, obliterate argieland. Try to claim what has been “our” territory for 325 years? Learn to die, argieland.

    Dec 30th, 2015 - 06:22 pm 0
  • Briton

    Once we get rid of the rats here,

    will they get rid of all those rouge rats in Argentina.

    just nibbling..

    Dec 30th, 2015 - 07:19 pm 0
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