Effects of mouse predation on burrowing petrel chicks at Gough Island

Introduced house mice (Mus musculus) are devastatingly impacting burrowing petrel chicks on Gough Island, with near-total chick mortality observed across multiple species. A 2014 study using infrared cameras and burrow inspections revealed that all seven Atlantic petrel (Pterodroma incerta) chicks were killed within hours of hatching, with an overall 87% failure rate among 83 hatchlings. Grey petrels (Procellaria cinerea) also suffered significant losses, with 60% mortality due to mouse predation. Video surveillance further documented fatal attacks on great shearwater (Puffinus gravis) and soft-plumaged petrel (Pterodroma mollis) chicks, while MacGillivray’s prion (Pachyptila macgillivrayi) experienced 82% chick mortality in 2013/14 and total loss in 2014/15. The closely related broad-billed prion (P. vittata) also faced complete chick mortality in 2014. These findings underscore the urgent need for mouse eradication to protect seabird populations on Gough Island, a critical UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dilley, B. J., Davies, D., Bond, A. L., & Ryan, P. G. (2015). Effects of mouse predation on burrowing petrel chicks at Gough Island. Antarctic Science, 27(6), 543–553. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954102015000279