RESTORATION OF ISLAND POPULATIONS OF BLACK-OYSTERCATCHERS AND PIGEON-GUILLEMOTS BY REMOVING INTRODUCED FOXES

In order to restore Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) and Pig eon Guillemots (Cepphus columba), 2 species injured by the T/V Exxon V aldez oil spill, the introduced predator, arctic fox (Alokex lagopus), was removed from 2 islands near the western edge of the trajectory of the oil. In 1994, most of the foxes (33 animals) were removed from Si meonofIsland, and all foxes (3 animals) were eliminated from Chernabur a Island. The remaining 5 foxes were removed from SimeonofbyJuly 1995. Surveys indicated that although adequate nesting habitat was availabl e at Simeonof and Chernabura, oystercatcher and guillemot population d ensities were much lower than at nearby fox-free islands. Elimination of foxes is expected to dramatically increase populations of these inj ured species as well as other native birds.