Juan Fernández Islands Restoration Project, Chile
© P. Hodum
O U R M I SSION
To save native animal and plant species from extinction on the Juan Fernández
Islands by removing invasive species.
O U R V I SION
The islands’ seabird and land-bird populations are stable and thriving, and
native vegetation is restored.
T H E P R OBLEM
Invasive species devour the islands’ vegetation and directly prey on native bird
species, including many found only here (endemic).
T H E S OLUTION
W H Y A R E T H E J UA N
FE R N Á N D E Z I S L A N DS
I M P O R TA N T ?
• H O M E TO T HREE
T H R E AT E N E D S I N GLE-ISLAND
E N D E M I C L A N D BIRDS
• N E ST I N G H A B I TAT FOR
FO U R T H R E AT E N E D SPECIES
T H AT B R E E D O NLY ON
C H I L E A N I S L A N DS, LIKE THE
P I N K- FO OT E D S H EARWATER
• H OST T H E G R EATEST
D E N S I T Y O F E N D EMIC BIRD
A N D P L A N T S P E CIES FOR
A N Y O C E A N I C ISLAND
Island Conservation, together with CONAF (Chile’s Protected Areas and Forests
agency), Chilean Environment Ministry, local NGOs community leaders, and
scientists will remove invasive species.
M E AS U RING IMPACT
By monitoring native wildlife and vegetation pre- and post-removal of invasive
species, partners can track the native plants’ and animals’ recovery.
Juan Fernández National Park Located
400 miles west of Santiago, Chile, this
volcanic archipelago became a national
park in 1935 and a designated UNESCO
Biosphere Reserve in 1977. Two of the
islands—Alexander Selkirk and Robinson
Crusoe—are named for the sailor and his
fictional character.
TO SEE WHAT YO U C A N D O TO H E L P SAV E S P E C I E S
FROM EXTINCTIO N I N S O U T H A M E R I C A , V I S I T
WWW.ISLANDCO N S E RVAT I O N .O R G O R E M A I L U S AT
SUDAMERICA@IS L A N D CO N S E RVAT I O N .O R G
JUA N F E R N Á N D E Z I S L A N DS R E STO R ATION PROJECT
The International Union for Conservation of Nature, Birdlife International, the Alliance for Zero
Extinction, and the World Wildlife Fund highlight the islands of the Juan Fernández Archipelago as
one of the most ecologically vulnerable ecosystems in the world. The islands are 61 times richer in
endemic plant species per square kilometer and 13 times greater in endemic bird richness than the
Galápagos. Few people live here, largely fisherman and their families: only 700 on Robinson Crusoe;
30 seasonal lobster fisherman visit Alejandro Selkirk a year.
Invasive, non-native goats, rabbits, coatis, feral cats, mice, and rats present on the islands are
destroying native plant and animal populations. IC and our partners are working to remove invasive
species from the Juan Fernández Archipelago and anticipate complete removal by 2020. IC will work
with Chilean resource agencies to conduct environmental education and community-based activities
to gain local support for the restoration of these biologically important islands.
PROT E C T I N G T H E J UA N F E R N Á N D E Z ISLANDS
1. WHAT NATIVE W I L D L I F E I S FO U N D H E R E ? The islands host 15
resident/breeding bird species, six which are globally threatened, and
131 endemic plant species, of which 96 are globally threatened. More
than 440 endemic invertebrate species, three endemic land-bird species,
and the endemic Juan Fernández fur seal depend on these islands for
their existence.
2. WHAT IS THE G OA L O F R E STO R AT I O N ? To save all of the plant and
animal populations native to the Juan Fernández, like the Critically
Endangered Juan Fernández Firecrown and the Masafuera Rayadito,
from extinction.
© P. Hodum
IC, University of California at
Santa Cruz and partners monitor changes in native populations before
and after removal of invasive species. Innovative techniques, such as
acoustic monitoring, allow us to look at population trends and the
presence or absence of native species. Targets for recovery include native
plants, hummingbirds, passerines, and seabirds.
3. HOW DO YOU M E AS U R E R E S U LTS?
4. WHAT IS THE M OST I M P E R I L E D B I R D O N T H E J UA N F E R N Á N D E Z
Robinson Crusoe Island hosts the world’s only endemic
hummingbird from an oceanic island. The Critically Endangered Juan
Fernández Firecrown depends on the island’s native forests to survive.
ISLANDS?
5. WILL WE SEE A R E T U R N O F C U R R E N T LY A B S E N T S E A B I R DS TO
The Vulnerable De Filippi’s Petrel currently breeds on
only three islands in the world: Santa Clara in the Juan Fernández Islands
and two islands in Chile’s Desventuradas. It previously bred on Robinson
Crusoe, but was wiped out by invasive species. By removing the invaders,
IC expects the petrels’ return to Robinson Crusoe.
THE ISLANDS?
© P. Hodum