Of Man, seals, cats and mice: Mongabay news commentary

Feral cats are long gone from Subantarctic Marion Island. Photo: Philippa Drennan, 1984, courtesy of the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa

Many Subantarctic islands have historically felt the effects of seal hunters and the purposeful or accidental introduction of alien mammals. Mice, rats, rabbits, cats, goats, sheep, deer, cows... the list goes on, and the effects have often been devastating to native fauna and flora. Given the contemporary understanding of the negative effects of invasive species, many nations have increasingly ambitious eradication programmes. These are wise investments. Read why the Marion Island story is one to learn from at leading enviro-news website: Mongabay.