From Rat Ruler to Enchanting Wildlife Paradise: Unveiling the Stunning Transformation of a Caribbean Island

Editors Note: Call to Earth, a CNN editorial series, is dedicated to covering the environmental challenges that our planet is currently facing, as well as the solutions to address them. CNN has teamed up with Rolexs Perpetual Planet initiative to raise awareness and educate people about important sustainability issues, with the ultimate goal of inspiring positive action.

Located in the Caribbean Sea, there is a small island with steep cliffs that drop into pristine turquoise waters. It is an isolated and uninhabited place that could easily be mistaken for an untouched paradise. However, many years ago, human presence had an impact on this island.

Redonda, the lesser-known third island of Antigua and Barbuda, was initially discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. However, it wasn't until two centuries later that human presence was reported on this untamed land. The island's abundant seabird population made it an enticing site for guano mining, which involved extracting bird droppings for use as fertilizer and gunpowder during the 19th century. Dubbed "white gold" at the time, guano played a pivotal role in the advancement of modern agriculture. Redonda reached its peak production, yielding up to 4,000 tons annually.

Unfortunately, along with human activity came invasive creatures like black rats and feral goats. Although guano mining ceased after the onset of World War I, these animals remained and wreaked havoc on the island's plants and native species. Gradually, the majority of the vegetation disappeared, leaving behind a crumbling terrain. The landmass steadily eroded, with rocks and soil tumbling into the surrounding sea, causing considerable harm to the marine ecosystem. The once-thriving bird population ceased nesting on Redonda, while some of the feral goats were left to perish, their carcasses scattered across the barren landscape. Redonda's fate was now controlled by rats, rendering it a desolate wasteland resembling the surface of the moon.

Redonda was a barren moonscape before the restoration project began in 2016.

Ed Marshall / Fauna & Flora

Witnessing these changes, environmental groups decided to take action. In 2016, they launched an effort to restore the island and eliminate the invasive species.

"Removing the unwanted species and allowing natural vegetation to regrow has been our only intervention," says Johnella Bradshaw, Redonda program coordinator for the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG), a leading Antiguan NGO involved in the project.

"To this day, no additional planting or reintroduction of species has taken place. By simply eliminating the rats and goats, we witnessed a remarkable transformation of the island," she adds.

Preventing extinction

The conservation groups, including the EAG and international organizations like Fauna & Flora and Re:wild, see the new designation as a significant victory. Moreover, this achievement is equally important for the 30 globally threatened and near-threatened species believed to inhabit the protected area.

Jenny Daltry/Fauna & Flora/Re:wild

Jenny Daltry/Fauna & Flora/Re:wild

Redonda island, before and after the eradication of invasive species.

Jenny Daltry, along with organizations Fauna & Flora and Re:wild, aims to address the unfolding tragedy occurring on offshore islands in the Caribbean region. Despite making up just 0.15% of the Earth's surface, these islands have witnessed a disheartening number of extinctions, including 10% of the world's bird extinctions, 40% of mammal extinctions, and over 60% of reptile extinctions since 1500, as reported by Fauna & Flora.

"They not only serve as biodiversity hotspots, but also function as the epicenter and focal points for the majority of global species extinctions. Preserving our Redonda from such a fate is imperative," emphasizes Bradshaw.

Determined scientists are striving to protect Europe's invaluable ecological core.

Scientific research has revealed that the primary cause of native biodiversity loss on islands is invasive species. Eradicating these species is one of the most effective methods for reversing these negative trends. However, the elimination process is not always straightforward.

According to Bradshaw, Redonda, a mile-long island, was estimated to have approximately 6,000 rats and 60 goats before eradication efforts began. One team was responsible for manually gathering the goats, which were then transported by air to the mainland for relocation. Subsequently, another team camped on the island for two consecutive months, baiting the rats and monitoring their populations as they gradually declined. Initially, researchers could hear rats scurrying around their tents during the night, Bradshaw adds.

Eventually, in 2018, the island was officially declared rat free, and it has maintained that status ever since.

Populations of the island's endemic lizards have bounced back since the rats were eradicated.

Ed Marshall / Fauna & Flora

Since their predators have disappeared, Redonda's native lizards have experienced a remarkable recovery. Researchers have observed a 13-fold increase in the population of the critically endangered Redonda ground dragon since 2017. Additionally, the total vegetation biomass has surged by over 2,000%, and 15 species of land birds, including boobies and frigatebirds, have made a comeback.

"Before the eradication efforts, Redonda only had one tree and a solitary land bird," recalls Bradshaw. However, the ecosystem is now functioning properly, and the circle of life has been restored.

"We are witnessing the growth of vegetation, specifically fig trees. As a result, birds are being attracted to the area, feeding on the fruits and dispersing the seeds through their droppings. Consequently, we are observing the emergence of various tree species, which further entices an increased number of birds to visit," she explains.

Johnella Bradshaw, Redonda program coordinator for the EAG, says she is "blown away" by the island's recovery.

Lawson Lewis

“A shining light”

Maintaining this trend poses a challenge. Bradshaw explains that the EAG has taken steps to enforce biosecurity measures in order to minimize the potential for further invasions. Additionally, feasibility studies have been initiated for the potential reintroduction of native species, such as iguanas or burrowing owls.

However, she cautions that the island is currently in the early stages of recovery and emphasizes the potential consequences of a single rat jeopardizing all progress made thus far.

The newly granted protected area status is expected to contribute to its preservation. While fishing will be allowed in a sustainable manner within the designated area, a protective "replenishment zone" will encircle the island to serve as a safeguard against unauthorized vessels. Strict vetting procedures will be implemented for all boats and individuals approaching the island to prevent the inadvertent introduction of rats or invasive seeds through clothing or bags.

Several booby species have returned to the island since vegetation has returned.

Nneka Nicholas, legal consultant at the Department of the Environment, explains that the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force will assist in patrolling the area. The government aims to acquire specialized boats for the ecosystem reserve and employ dedicated patrol staff once sufficient funding is secured.

These small ceramic huts are aiding endangered penguins and their offspring, emphasizing the crucial importance of the protected area to the islanders. Helena Jeffery Brown, the technical coordinator in the Department for Environment and a founding member of the Redonda restoration program, explains that in small and developing island states, the survival of the inhabitants hinges on maintaining a diverse and resilient ecosystem. If biodiversity weakens, the islands become more vulnerable to various factors such as climate change, pollution, invasive species, and other influential factors.

The aim is for the restoration of Redonda to serve as a beacon of inspiration for other island nations, thus fostering resilience across the entire region and the world.

Bradshaw passionately concurs, stating that Redonda exemplifies the effectiveness of rewilding when nature is allowed to thrive undisturbed.

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