The Ambitious Mission of the Mouse-Free Marion Project
Our recent Marine Evening welcomed guest speaker, Dr Anton Wolfaardt, Project Manager of the Mouse-Free Marion Project, who presented a powerful vision for Marion Island—a South African sub-Antarctic treasure—united by a common goal: to restore its ecosystem by eradicating invasive house mice. This ambitious conservation initiative aims to address the devastating impact of these non-native rodents on the island’s fragile ecosystem and to protect Marion’s unique seabird populations from local extinction.
Wandering Albatrosses on Marion Island
A Brief History of Marion Island and the Mouse Invasion
Located in the remote Southern Ocean, Marion Island and its sister island, Prince Edward, are part of South Africa’s only overseas territory and serve as one of the country’s Special Nature Reserves. Discovered in the late 18th century, Marion Island remained relatively untouched until the 19th century, when sealers began to frequent it. With them came stowaways—the first house mice, likely intro