Wildlife

Manx Shearwater Welfare and Island Rat Predation

Manx shearwaters nest in underground burrows on offshore islands and are vulnerable to rat predation that can eliminate entire colonies.

Key Facts

Skomer Island in Wales hosts the worlds largest Manx shearwater population
Rats introduced to islands can destroy shearwater colonies within years
Shearwaters return to the same burrow each year, making them predictable for predators
Rat eradication programs have restored shearwater colonies on multiple islands
Shearwaters are among the longest-lived seabirds with individuals surviving over 50 years

Welfare Considerations

Rat predation kills adults in burrows and destroys eggs and chicks systematically. Predated birds suffer traumatic attacks. Loss of established breeding birds represents decades of reproductive potential. Islands without rat eradication programs see progressive colony decline with repeated failure each season causing ongoing stress. Chicks killed by rats suffer direct injury.

What You Can Do

Support island rat eradication programs protecting seabird colonies
Donate to RSPB seabird recovery programs on UK islands
Advocate for strict biosecurity to prevent rat introduction to island nature reserves
Support Skomer Island protection programs
Engage with maritime communities on boat biosecurity preventing rat transfer to islands