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The Ecology of Rodents in the Tonga Islands
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Twibell, John

The influence on crop damage of Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus, and the native Polynesian rat, Rattus exulans, was studied during the establishment of a rat control program for the Tongan Department of Agriculture in 1969. This was the first long-term study of Tongan rodents. Previous scientific literature on Tongan mammals is very sparse. The Kingdom of Tonga, or Friendly Islands, consists of approximately 150 small islands with a combined area of about 256 square miles at lat 21 0 S. The majority of these islands are composed of raised coral limestone ; however, there is a row of six volcanic islands on Tonga's western border. Tongatapu, the location of the government center, is the largest and most important island. The Ha'apai island group lies 80 miles north of Tongatapu, and 150 miles north is the Vava'u group. Fiji is 420 nautical miles east and Samoa is 480 miles north. The climate is tropical and is influenced seasonally by trade winds. Since Captain Cook's first visit in 1773, Western civilization has brought trade, missionaries, and perhaps rats to Tonga. With this shipping came numerous introduced plants and animals. The arrival dates for the common rat, Rattus norvegicus, and the "European" roof rat, Rattus rattus, are not known, but are believed to be more recent, probably since the increase of regular shipping trade and the construction of wharves. Presently rodents account for approximately 20 percent of the agricultural losses and $50,000 worth of economic loss each year (Twibell, unpublished). This is a conservative estimate based on damage counts and observation. In some areas rats destroy or damage up to 50 percent of the coconuts, which represent the main economic crop in Tonga. THE INFLUENCE on crop damage of Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus, and the native Polynesian rat, Rattus exulans, was studied during the establishment of a rat control program for the Tongan Department of Agriculture in 1969. This was the first long-term study of Tongan rodents. Previous scientific literature on Tongan mammals is very sparse. The Kingdom of Tonga, or Friendly Islands, consists of approximately 150 small islands with a combined area of about 256 square miles at lat 21 0 S. The majority of these islands are composed of raised coral limestone ; however, there is a row of six volcanic islands on Tonga's western border. Tongatapu, the location of the government center, is the largest and most important island. The Ha'apai island group lies 80 miles north of Tongatapu, and 150 miles north is the Vava'u group. Fiji is 420 nautical miles east and Samoa is 480 miles north. The climate is tropical and is influenced seasonally by trade winds. Since Captain Cook's first visit in 1773, Western civilization has brought trade, missionaries, and perhaps rats to Tonga. With this shipping came numerous introduced plants and animals. The arrival dates for the common rat, Rattus norvegicus, and the "European" roof rat, Rattus rattus, are not known, but are believed to be more recent, probably since the increase of regular shipping trade and the construction of wharves. Presently rodents account for approximately 20 percent of the agricultural losses and $50,000 worth of economic loss each year (Twibell, unpublished). This is a conservative estimate based on damage counts and observation. In some areas rats destroy or damage up to 50 percent of the coconuts, which represent the main economic crop in Tonga.
Cane toad strategy for Western Australia 2014 to 2019
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The Government of Western Australia, Department of Parks and Wildlife

Cane toads introduced to Queensland in 1935, are major environmental pests in Western Australia, having arrived here in February 2009. The Liberal National Government released a 10-year Cane Toad Strategy for Western Australia in 2009. Over the first five years of the strategy, much has been achieved and the government has invested more than $7.8 million in on –ground activities and research to help control the spread of can toads. With a range of stakeholders, including community groups, universities, the Australian Government, local shires, Indigenous groups and others, the State of Government has implemented many new can toad management programs including a field-based cane toad surveillance and response team, strengthened quarantine measures, a free-call hotline to report cane toad sightings and cane toad drop off points. Major biological survey work has provided benchmark information on important island wildlife populations that need priority protection from cane toad. Biological controls are also being researched for the survival of native wildlife species in the short and medium terms and management of cane toads in the longer term. Educating the community has prevented new populations from establishing in Perth and elsewhere. Detector dog specially trained to sniff out cane toads is a proactive measure to stem the spread of this noxious pest. This is a review and update on the original 10 year strategy to review and update the strategy to reflect progress in implementation, the current status of cane toads in WA and results of ongoing research, and to refocus its aims and objectives. Cost effective activities and an integrated approach with other initiatives across WA, such as the $81.5 million Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy, are required. The revised Cane Toad Strategy for Western Australia 2014-2019 will ensure the available information is used to inform Wa’s continued management of cane toads.