Frequently Asked Questions Rat Island Habitat Restoration Project

A conservation partnership is restoring the native ecosystem of Rat Island in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge by eliminating introduced rats. The ecosystem, especially the bird population, was decimated by the introduction of Norway rats via a shipwreck in the 1780’s. There are virtually no seabirds and few other birds left on Rat Island. Successful rat eradication would restore habitat and allow birds to re-colonize the island. The first step in island restoration, applying rodenticide to the island, was completed in early October. Biological monitoring in the summer of 2009 and 2010 will determine if all the rats have been eliminated