Rats Gone Bugs Back

After a century of rodent devastation, Lord Howe Island is experiencing a wildlife revival—thanks to a successful rat and mouse eradication program. Scientists report a 60% surge in invertebrates since 2019, with over 24,000 specimens collected using traps and cardboard “cockroach hotels.” The island’s unique ecosystem, lacking native mammals, saw bugs suppressed by rodents; now, birds and reptiles are reclaiming their roles. Ground-nesting birds are rebounding, forests are regrowing, and even a weevil thought extinct for over 100 years has returned and is breeding again. This is just the beginning—future decades promise even more dramatic ecological recovery, proving nature’s resilience when given a chance. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/a0489f7185282d5b