Ground Dove Population Increases on Ulong Island Following Removal of Invasive Rats

KOROR, Palau – Seabirds, the IUCN endangered Palau ground dove and other native species have significantly increased in number thanks to a successful restoration campaign on Ulong Island, Republic of Palau, in the Western Pacific Ocean, said Island Conservation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring island ecosystems. 

Island Conservation, the Koror State Government, the Koror State Department of Conservation and Law Enforcement (DCLE) and the Koror State Rangers worked together from 2023-2024 to remove introduced, damaging invasive rats, which devoured native bird eggs and young, decimated native plant populations through seed predation, preyed on native crabs, and disrupted food webs — ultimately threatening ecosystem collapse, said Island Conservation. 

Now, after one full year of rigorous monitoring — including trail cameras, eDNA sampling and field surveys —the partners confirmed no invasive rodents remain on the island, said the organization. Island Conservation’s monitoring team said it noticed a higher incidence of ground doves, including sightings of chicks at landing sites where they were never previously recorded.

The results are thrilling. We’re seeing and hearing recovery: since the program began, we’ve recorded a significant increase in calls from Brown Noddies, White Terns and Bridled Terns," said Coral Wolf, impact program manager, Island Conservation. "This increase occurred just one-year post-eradication — who knows what recovery remains to be discovered!"  

Tourists and their guides have also noticed the difference, said Island Conservation. To safeguard this progress, the partners implemented a robust biosecurity protocol to prevent reinvasion and protect the long-term conservation investment, the organization said. 

“This project shows the world what’s possible when a partnership of culture, conservation and innovation unite,” said Tommy Hall, project manager at Island Conservation. “Seeing endangered species rebounding so quickly reminds us that nature is resilient; and with biosecurity securing the future, Ulong Island stands as a beacon of success for Pacific islands.”