Eradication of African sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) from South Florida, USA: a collaborative early detection and rapid response case study

Abstract

Successful control or eradication programs involving invasive terrestrial vertebrate species are rare, typically occurring in insular environments. The African Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) has become established as an invasive species in several countries, causing damage to natural resources. Researchers had forecast the potential for this species to thrive in southern Florida, USA, but also noted that it was early enough in the invasion process to make eradication feasible. In 2008, State, Federal, and private entities collaborated to develop and carry out a program to eliminate African Sacred Ibis from South Florida. The program utilized the “scout” technique and an invasive species reporting and outreach platform to discover previously unidentified African Sacred Ibis use areas. Thirty-three African Sacred Ibis were captured alive, surgically pinioned, and placed at several accredited zoological parks. An additional 45 were humanely removed across five sites, which included both private and public lands. The operation was successful and at the end of the eradication there were no known free African Sacred Ibises in Florida. The potential for establishment of new African Sacred Ibis founder populations is high, and our reporting of this successful control program can aid in the success of other invasive species managers of African Sacred Ibis and other invasive large-bodied waterbirds.