Page 43 - 2008 NZ Subantarctic Islands

Campbell group National Reserve status. All feral cattle and sheep

were finally removed by 1984.

When DOC was given jurisdiction over the parks, reserves and
forestlands, the agency also became responsible for these

SubAntarctic land bits. A massive eradication program was begun
to clear this island of Norway rats that had been present for 200
years. Campbell was declared rat-free in 2003! It was and is the

largest rat eradication success story in the world.

Since that time, the native invertebrates, vegetation and seabirds
have been steadily returning and re-establishing themselves much

more quickly than scientists dared wish. The Hooker’s sea lion is
still endangered for reasons the researchers are even now

struggling to understand. In the interim, they are protected and
monitored on all these islands. The fur seals rebounded with a
huge success, probably due to lessened competition with whales

for food. Whales are also increasing their numbers now that
hunting is prohibited in these waters and their numbers are

slowly but surely rising as well. Campbell Island teals (a native
duck) have been successfully relocated from the smaller rocky

outpost islands and they too are making a steady comeback from
local extinction. DOC is justly proud of the success it has attained

in all these islands and on Campbell in particular.

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