Johnny Wilson - Gough Research

Gough Island is a subantarctic island and UK overseas territory situated in the South Atlantic Ocean. The island possesses an extraordinary wealth of unique biodiversity and has being called the world’s most important seabird island. Not surprisingly, it has been afforded UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) status. In 2000/2001, the first ornithologists to stay on the island for a year discovered that introduced mice are annihilating the island’s bird population (and likely also other biodiversity). This behavior was captured on camera during the second bird expedition in 2002/2003. Marie-Hélène Burle and I then spent 13 months (2005/2006) on Gough Island gathering data to determine the feasibility of eradicating the mice in an effort to save the island’s unique wildlife. In addition, we also conducted bird - and seal monitoring, as well as various other research activities that included stable isotopes, energetics and genetics. In addition, as conservation officer for the year, I oversaw waste management and additional miscellaneous conservation efforts such as eradication of invasive grasses.