Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Neilson (2002) listed mammals that had been introduced to Abariringa (Kanton), Enderbury,
Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki (see Table III-3.31 above).
Neilson (2002) reported that the rats on Nikumaroro were abundant and healthy (see also
Obura and Stone 2003).
Pierce et al (2006) identified mammals observed on Birnie, Enderbury, McKean,
Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki and compared them with previously recorded species (see
Table III-3.32 above).
Pierce et al (2006) estimated the populationof mammal species on Birnie, Enderbury,
McKean, Nikumaroro, Orona, Rawaki (see Table III-3.33 above).
Pierce et al (2006) reported that the house cat, Felis catus, appeared to have disappeared from
Nikumaroro.
Pierce et al (2006) reported that the dog, Canis familiaris, had disappeared from Nikumaroro.
Pierce et al (2006) noted the presence of the Pacific rat on Nikumaroro.
ORONA (HULL)
The 1838 to 1842 U.S. Exploring Expedition collected various specimens of rat, including the
wandering rat, Mus exulans Peale from Orona (Hull) (Bartlett (1940). Poole and Schantz
(1942) reported on the type specimens in the U.S. National Museum included measurements
of Mus exulans from Orona (Hulls) collected by the U.S. Exploring Expedition.
In 1887, Ellis landed on Orona (Hull) with his brother, 3 Niueans, 20,000 coconuts and a dog
(Ellis 1937). Ellis (1937) reported an immense number of rats. The rat was smaller in size
than the common rat.
Bryan (1934) reported rats on Orona (Hull). Bryan (1941) noted that Polynesian rats were
found on Orona (Hull).
Bryan (1941 and 1942) noted that cats, dogs, and pigs were raised domestically on Orona
(Hull).
When Orona (Hull) was evacuated in 1961, dogs and cats were left behind (King 1973). The
Gilbertese colonists that had been relocated to the Solomon Islands had to leave their dogs
behind (Anon. 1964). These dogs took refuge in equal numbers in the Roman Catholic and
LMS missions. In May 1964, poison bait was laid out. On the return voyage, no live dogs
were observed.
King (1973) reported that a few cats and dogs were still present on Orona (Hull). Their
reproductive state was not known. King (1973) recommended that dogs and cats (when
present) be removed from Orona (Hull), Nikumaroro (Gardner), Manra (Sydney), and
Enderbury.
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