Archived News

A report summarising the first phase of the Reindeer Rangifer tarandus eradication project on South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* is now available on line (click here).  The report entitled ‘Reindeer Eradication Project – Phase 1 Summary Report’ gives an overview of operations in the Busen area on the island and “highlights the main lessons learnt that will inform the planning for the final phase and assist in planning similar eradications in other parts of the world.”

Click here to access other reports on the Reindeer eradication programme.

Following the eradication of approximately two thousand animals in the Busen area searches were made on foot and by air. With no animals sighted the area it is believed the area is now clear of Reindeer.  In addition 1555 Reindeer were shot in the Barff Peninsula to reduce the population there prior to the main eradication in that area next year.

Removing Reindeer from South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* will lead to vegetation recovery from grazing, halt trampling from their hooves and, in time, improve the habitat for breeding seabirds, including the ACAP-listed burrowing White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis.

White-chinned Petrels, photographed by David Boyle

Read an earlier ACAP Latest News item with selected references on the eradication here.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 22 September 2013

*A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.