Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Garnett (1983) noted that the only mammals on Orona (Hull) were the Polynesian rat, Rattus
exulans, cats, dogs and pigs. The status of the cats, dogs, and pigs were not known in 1963.
Rats were found on Orona (PIKS Project Manager 2002). Government of Kiribati (1995)
noted that the Polynesian rat on Orona had no damaging effects.
In 2002, two female cats were taken from Kiritimati to the Phoenix Islands (Bukaireiti and
Rabaua (2002). However, enroute, they were thrown overboard. There were concerns about
establishing a cat population on Orona.
Bukaeireiti and Rabaua (2002) observed that rats were abundant on Orona. Neilson (2002)
reported that residents of Orona had introduced cats to control the rats, but that bird
populations were now vulnerable to the cats.
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 pigs that been introduced to Abariringa (Kanton) and Orona.
However, all pigs sent to Orona had disappeared. They had either died, escaped or had been
eaten.
Pierce et al (2006) reported that the Pacific rat, Rattus exulans, had disappeared from Orona.
This population may have been dramatically reduced or eliminated following a Warfarin R
toxin application to control rats there (Tiare Etei personal communication in Pierce et al
2006). No further details were available on this application.
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 there was a small population of cats, Felis catus, on Orona.
Pierce et al (2006) reported that the dog, Canis familiaris, and pig, Sus scrofa, had vanished
from Orona.
RAWAKI (PHOENIX)
In the late 1860’s an American guano company was working on Rawaki (Phoenix) at about
the time rabbits were liberated there (Watson 1961; see also Bryan 1942). Lister (1891)
reported that the rabbits had been left by guano workers. Ellis (1946) noted that rabbits were
left by Americans when they worked the phosphate-guano deposits there in the late 1800’s
(see also Baarslag 1940; Ellis 1937). Maude (1937) reported that the Phoenix Guano
Company left the rabbits on Rawaki (Phoenix).
Lister (1891) reported rabbits were fairly plentiful (see also Watson 1961).
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