29 March 2024

In recent years, we have often spoken of biosecurity, the practice of protecting a place from the threat of the arrival (transported voluntarily or involuntarily by humans) of animals and plants that are not naturally present there.

Biosecurity is an action, a precaution that must be constant and lasting. We cannot let our's guard down. In our case, after all the efforts made to eradicate rats from the island of Ventotene (the island with the most inhabitants in the world among those freed from rats), it would be a real crime to let go and allow recolonisation by these alien and invasive predators. It would be a tragedy for the Scopoli's shearwaters anche Puffinus yealkouannd that nest on this island. That is why at regular intervals a small PonDerat squad returns to Ventotene. We check that there are no traces of rats and that the network of different types of devices (baut stations, camera-traps, etc.) set up to intercept any rats that have arrived on the island is working.

We remember that the rats also caused extensive damage to agricultural crops and, as we were told by one of the island's historic fishermen, even to the nets left in the harbour at the end of the day. Walking through the fields cultivated so masterfully by the Ventotenese, collecting their testimonies and even more so seeing the new plants grow without the threat of rats is a real feast for our eyes and a reward for the work done.
Along the way, we also check the areas where the Carpobrotus has been eradicated, to see if there are any signs of this invasive plant recovering, and it is nice to admire the many native species that have taken its place.
And finally, if you have time, why not lend a hand at the ringing station where thousands of migratory birds are busy these days? It's always a pleasure.