Rat Island
Stolzenburg, WilliamIslands + birds = paradise, but paradise + rats = DISASTER. With islands home to more than half the world's endangered species, the arrival of introduced predators has had a catastrophic effect on fauna, especially birds. With particular focus on two bird species that evolved in mammal-free environments, New Zealand's kakapo and the auklets from the Aleutian Islands, this book considers the different conservation measures employed to protect these fragile island ecosystems.
Informative and lively, this is a story fraught with ethical complexities, of conservation crusades and radical pest eradication, and the people and animals on both sides of the equation.
Pages
279
279
Year
2011
2011
Reviews
06-03-2024
Fabulous read, beautifully written on a really important subject. A bit like a murder mystery. Highly recommended.
10-01-2024
Group enjoyed this read - especially as some of our members were involved in pest eradication / environmental protection . Heart rending the damage we have done to our precious wild life - but, ultimately, uplifting in the end . Great examples of both environmental disasters and triumphs.
28-11-2022
People really enjoyed this book. Found it interesting, well-written and educational. Very pertinent to the N.Z. situation with N.Z. mentioned frequently. One of the best reads of the year.
16-05-2022
Generally enjoyed by all. Research involved was appreciated. Very readable style. Some members who have good knowledge of the N.Z. aspect of the topic considered it accurate. We all thought the pioneers are true heroes. Good discussion re pests, especially "the cat issue".
11-05-2022
We learnt so much!
22-09-2021
2 members did not finish the book. The others felt it was worthy, but they did not particularly enjoy it. But in discussion, they realised they had learned a lot about rats and islands around the world, and the politics and ethical dilemmas involved.
06-08-2021
Fantastic book.
18-06-2021
Everyone was engaged by this book, and even those who knew a bit about the topic learnt more. (One of our members had just been to Government House to receive an award for her role in trapping to protect whio, in the Ruahine ranges!) So, a book which encouraged us in our resolve to do more in our own back yards.
18-04-2021
So much information about failures of the past and the successes. It is amazing what the rats can do and how we have worked to out smart them (and they in turn us - who is watching the watcher). There are some great tales that you will want to share with everyone you meet.
10-03-2021
Most interesting and topical.
29-07-2020
We certainly did enjoy this book. It was saddening to read of man's progressive effecting of species extinction. But heartening to read of efforts made to try and remedy some of this. Interesting to read of the extent of this work and N.Z's part in it. Once again, much to ponder and discuss.
29-07-2020
Excellent discussion. Several of us are hoping to be able to buy the book. Well-written. Food for thought.
29-07-2020
While the title of the book didn't entice us initially, we all engaged pretty quickly as the writing style was such that it made it very readable. The stories of the men who worked so hard to conserve the birds, were so dedicated and had to withstand such difficult conditions, that we all admired them. We had a really interesting and animated discussion. We all learnt a lot - it showed us the big picture, and the fact that it had so much about New Zealand made it more interesting. We liked it so much that many of us wanted to buy it to give to our children!
09-03-2020
Fascinating. Enjoyed immensely. Some detail re NZ not quite accurate.
05-06-2019
Should be compulsory reading in all NZ secondary schools.
18-01-2019
With this book's strong focus on New Zealand, we gained an excellent understanding of our historical management and (mis)management of pests, especially rats. What a thought-provoking book - it was the catalyst for a lively discussion.
16-01-2019
This was the best book of our whole year of book club. Everybody loved it, we had a great discussion, and it has been a talking point all summer. I even got it as a present for someone for Xmas!
16-01-2019
Overall comment was " a good, easy and enjoyable read". It was well-written, intensive and well researched. The content is very relevant to the trapping in our local area.