Short-tailed Shearwaters are reclaiming Australia’s Deen Maar Island after removal of European Rabbits

Succulent vegetation flowering on Deen Maar Island, photograph from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Deen Maar, also known as Lady Julia Percy Island, is located approximately 20 km south-west of Port Fairy, Victoria in Australia’s Bass Strait. European Rabbits were first introduced in 1868 to the 133-h island to provide a food source for potential shipwreck survivors.  Two years after an eradication exercise, the island, a State Faunal Reserve, has been officially declared rabbit free.  Burrowing seabirds, including Short-tailed Shearwaters Ardenna tenuirostris (90 000 pairs estimated in 1964, but only 15 000 pairs reported in 1976), Fairy Prions Pachyptila turtur, Common Diving Petrels Pelecanoides urinatrix and Little Penguins Eudyptula minor, are now reported reclaiming sites previously overrun with rabbit warrens and using the empty holes as nest sites.

“The project was delivered in phases, including the use of calicivirus, aerial baiting, and monitoring and eradication trips. After the last rabbit was controlled in late October 2023, the project team undertook two years of monitoring, helping to protect the site’s cultural heritage and native ecosystem.” (click here).  Calcivirus was administered in chopped carrots and helicopters dispersed cereal bait pellets.

News of success comes in the year ACAP has chosen “Habitat Restoration” at its theme for World Albatross Day on 19 June 2026.

The Deen Maar Island Rabbit Eradication Project was led by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in partnership with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation and Parks Victoria.

Read more about Deen Maar/ Lady Julia Percy Island here.