Midway Atoll eradicated invasive rats after Bonin petrels had fallen to fewer than 5,000 nesting pairs

Invasive rats were removed from Midway Atoll, which had devastated native seabird populations. Bonin petrel numbers surged from under five thousand to over one hundred thirty-five thousand pairs. This eradication effort also allowed native vegetation to recover and stabilize the fragile islands. However, invasive house mice later emerged as a new threat to nesting albatrosses. Strict biosecurity measures now protect this vital Pacific sanctuary from further introductions.