title: Eradication of common mynas Acridotheres tristis from Denis Island, Seychelles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Seychelles, the common myna has been shown to have a negative impact on endangered endemic birds on Denis Island, interfering with breeding attempts and attacking adult endemic birds at their nests. This stimulated an attempt to eradicate the island's mynas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The eradication was undertaken in three phases, overall killing 1186 mynas and lasting 5 years. Decoy trapping was the most effective method for catching mynas, but the last birds were shot. Decoy trapping was compromised by catches of non-target species. Data collection from killed birds indicated that trapping did not favour either sex, and that most breeding occurred during the wetter season, November to March.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eradication of mynas from small tropical islands is feasible. The Denis Island eradication was prolonged by difficulties in management and staffing. Using volunteers, the cost of the eradication was similar to that of eradicating rodents from the island. In future eradication attempts in Seychelles, possible food stress during the drier season (May to September) might facilitate trapping at this time. Habitat management, especially the removal of short mown grass, could enhance eradication progress. Continued monitoring is needed to confirm eradication and detect any immigration, and also to record responses in the endemic birds. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: WildWings Bird Management, Grayswood Common, Haslemere, Surrey, UK.
authors.forename: Chris J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Feare
authors.affiliation: Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, GELIFES, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jildou
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Woude
authors.affiliation: Denis Island, Seychelles, 105D Cromwell Road, St Andrews, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Phill
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Greenwell
authors.affiliation: Denis Island, Seychelles Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Hannah A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Denis Island, Seychelles British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford, Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: Jenni A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Pointe au Sel, Mahe, Seychelles.
authors.forename: Christine S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Larose
authors.affiliation: Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management, Öster-Malma, Nyköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Per-Arne
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ahlen
authors.affiliation: Denis Island, Seychelles.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: Denis Island, Seychelles Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Will
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chadwick
authors.affiliation: Denis Island, Seychelles, 7/19 Bridge Street, Epping, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Smita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.affiliation: Denis Island, Seychelles, Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Raines
authors.affiliation: Denis Island, Seychelles, Calle Mota del Cuervo, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, GELIFES, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Komdeur
authors.affiliation: Green Islands Foundation, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles.
authors.forename: Arjan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Groene
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D058865:Introduced Species; D008297:Male; D010571:Pest Control / Q000379:methods*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D012621:Seasons; D012750:Seychelles; D046749:Starlings
keywords: Acridotheres tristis; Denis Island; common myna; eradication; invasive alien species; island restoration; wildlife management