the important colonies of threatened African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) on
Robben Island. Domestic Cats were also kept as pets, until this was banned by the
Robben Island Museum management authority in 2009. As a result of the current
control programme, which has removed 109 F. catus since its inception in 2009, the
feral cat population is very low, estimated at five to ten individuals (C. Wilke, pers.
comm). In terms of the Natural Environmental Policy (Robben Island Museum
2016) the introduction of F. catus to the Island is prohibited and all pet cats have
been removed.
22.9.4 Oryctolagus cuniculus (European Rabbit)
Oryctolagus cuniculus were introduced to several near-shore islands along the east
coast and west coast by the early Dutch settlers in the 1600s (Measey et al. 2020,
Chap. 5). After several unsuccessful introductions, the populations became selfsustaining on five islands—Bird Island near Port Elizabeth and Robben, Dassen,
Schapen and Malgas Islands along the west coast. Oryctolagus cuniculus have had
serious negative impacts on the native vegetation of the islands, as has been
documented for other oceanic islands (reviewed in Bergstrom et al. 2009).
Oryctolagus cuniculus has been listed as Category 1b for islands (i.e. must be
controlled) in NEM:BA (RSA 2016). However, the populations on Dassen Island
off the west coast, and Schapen and Malgas Islands in Saldanha Bay are not under
management at present and population sizes are not known. The population on Bird
Island was eradicated in the 1980s (C. Wilke pers. comm.).
On Robben Island, the total population in 2003 was estimated to be 2137 Æ 453
in 2003 and by November 2008 an estimated population of 24,229 (De Villiers et al.
2010). De Villiers et al. (2010) judged the population fluctuations to be induced by
the availability of food resources and predation by F. catus. A control operation
commenced in 2008, managed by Robben Island Museum. An estimated 13,600
O. cuniculus were removed during this time and, at the time of writing, O. cuniculus
have not been seen on the island for several months, but are not yet extirpated
(C. Wilke, pers. comm.). Initially, O. cuniculus were trapped and euthanised, but
since 2009 night-shooting has been employed as this is more efficient, having
accounted for 10,638 of the above mentioned animals, and can be conducted in
conjunction with F. catus and Dama dama (Fallow Deer) control. The control
operation will continue until the stated objective of eradication from the island is
reached.
22.9.5 Dama dama (Fallow Deer)
Dama dama were introduced on Robben Island from Rhodes’ Estate in 1963
(Chapman and Chapman 1980, see Measey et al. 2020, Chap. 5). Initially three
22 Alien and Invasive Animal Control Projects
651
Robben Island. Domestic Cats were also kept as pets, until this was banned by the
Robben Island Museum management authority in 2009. As a result of the current
control programme, which has removed 109 F. catus since its inception in 2009, the
feral cat population is very low, estimated at five to ten individuals (C. Wilke, pers.
comm). In terms of the Natural Environmental Policy (Robben Island Museum
2016) the introduction of F. catus to the Island is prohibited and all pet cats have
been removed.
22.9.4 Oryctolagus cuniculus (European Rabbit)
Oryctolagus cuniculus were introduced to several near-shore islands along the east
coast and west coast by the early Dutch settlers in the 1600s (Measey et al. 2020,
Chap. 5). After several unsuccessful introductions, the populations became selfsustaining on five islands—Bird Island near Port Elizabeth and Robben, Dassen,
Schapen and Malgas Islands along the west coast. Oryctolagus cuniculus have had
serious negative impacts on the native vegetation of the islands, as has been
documented for other oceanic islands (reviewed in Bergstrom et al. 2009).
Oryctolagus cuniculus has been listed as Category 1b for islands (i.e. must be
controlled) in NEM:BA (RSA 2016). However, the populations on Dassen Island
off the west coast, and Schapen and Malgas Islands in Saldanha Bay are not under
management at present and population sizes are not known. The population on Bird
Island was eradicated in the 1980s (C. Wilke pers. comm.).
On Robben Island, the total population in 2003 was estimated to be 2137 Æ 453
in 2003 and by November 2008 an estimated population of 24,229 (De Villiers et al.
2010). De Villiers et al. (2010) judged the population fluctuations to be induced by
the availability of food resources and predation by F. catus. A control operation
commenced in 2008, managed by Robben Island Museum. An estimated 13,600
O. cuniculus were removed during this time and, at the time of writing, O. cuniculus
have not been seen on the island for several months, but are not yet extirpated
(C. Wilke, pers. comm.). Initially, O. cuniculus were trapped and euthanised, but
since 2009 night-shooting has been employed as this is more efficient, having
accounted for 10,638 of the above mentioned animals, and can be conducted in
conjunction with F. catus and Dama dama (Fallow Deer) control. The control
operation will continue until the stated objective of eradication from the island is
reached.
22.9.5 Dama dama (Fallow Deer)
Dama dama were introduced on Robben Island from Rhodes’ Estate in 1963
(Chapman and Chapman 1980, see Measey et al. 2020, Chap. 5). Initially three
22 Alien and Invasive Animal Control Projects
651