Seabirds on Browse Island now safe from mice

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I’ve written before about drones being used to drop baits targeting predators. The latest article about them involved ridding an island of mice. Islands off the coast of Australia are very important as nesting sites for migratory birds. One such island off our coast is Browse Island. It’s 450 kms off the coast of Broome and covers 17 hectares. As a nesting site, it was/is crucial to the overall migratory ecosystem but has been overrun by mice which prey on eggs and disturb the breeding patterns. The island, which covers 17 hectares (42 acres), was once considered a haven for seabirds and crucial to the overall migratory ecosystem in WA's far north. Scientists have now employed drone baiting and believe they have eradicated the rodents. I know the issue of birds eating the poisoned mice will come up and the article doesn’t address this issue. I can only guess that the seabirds are not in the habit of eating rodents. Hopefully, seabirds will now be able to raise their chicks more easily. Drones will soon be indispensable, if they’re not already. The photo is mine.