Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Bunker (1951) observed wild house cats that were abundant and roamed the island at night.
Murphy et al (1954) noted abundant numbers of Polynesian rats, Mus exulans. Prior to
World War II, it was thought that these rats may have been responsible for the reduced
avaifauna of Abariringa (Canton).
Degener and Gillaspy (1955) noted the presence of dogs and cats on Abariringa (Canton).
Some cats had escaped from domestication.
Walker (1955) observed dogs, cats, and pet rabbits on Abariringa (Canton). There was also a
pet monkey on Abariringa (Canton).
McIntire (1960) noted that the only native mammal was the Polynesian rat, Rattus exulans.
The rat was not numerous and was primarily found on the eastern end of Abariringa
(Canton).
McIntire (1960) noted that dogs and cats had been introduced to Abariringa (Canton). Dogs
were of all breeds and mixtures. None have run wild. Some cats have escaped and have
taken a slight toll on nesting birds.
Bryan (1974) noted that there were feral cats, dogs, and the Polynesian rat on Abariringa
(Canton). This greatly reduced the bird populations there.
Fosberg et al (1973) noted that there were dogs and cats on Abariringa (Canton). These
animals were a threat to ground nesting birds. They should be sterilized or eliminated. No
pet should be abandoned when the owner leaves.
Abariringa (Canton) had feral cats, dogs, and Polynesian rats (King 1973).
Garnett (1983) reported the Polynesian rat and feral cats and dogs on Abariringa (Canton).
Government of Kiribati (1995) reported that the ship rat (kimoa) was present and caused
much damage.
In the 2000 census, the Statistics Office (2002) reported that the 61 residents raised local
pigs, and kept dogs and cats.
In 2002, about 30 Polynesian rats, Rattus exulans, on the islet (Spam Islet?) adjacent to the
lagoon entrance passage (Bukaeireiti and Rabaua 2002).
Neilson (2002) reported that residents of Abariringa (Kanton) had introduced cats to control
the rats, but that bird populations were now vulnerable to the cats.
Neilson (2002) reported that pigs that been introduced to Abariringa (Kanton) and Orona.
Neilson (2002) listed mammals that had been introduced to Abariringa (Kanton), Enderbury,
Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki (see Table III-3.31 above).
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