Richard Thomas/BirdLife Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris

Albatross islands given to conservationists

25-09-2002

Steeple Jason, and its larger neighbour Grand Jason, in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) have been given to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) by their owners, the Judy and Michael Steinhardt Foundation.

Both islands host important populations of breeding seabirds. Steeple Jason has the world's largest colony of Black-browed Albatrosses Diomedea melanophris, of around 157,000 breeding pairs, almost a third of the global population, and a smaller colony of 52,700 pairs is found on Grand Jason. Both are also home to large colonies of Rockhopper Penguins Eudyptes chrysocome and Southern Giant Petrels Macronectes giganteus.

Becky Ingham, of Falklands Conservation (BirdLife in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas)) said "protecting seabird colonies is one of our top priorities, and we are delighted to co-operate with WCS on this. We are especially concerned about the plight of the Black-browed Albatross, a species that has declined by around 86,000 breeding pairs in the Falklands over the last five years, largely as a result of birds being accidentally caught and drowned by longline fishing operations. Secure and undisturbed breeding places become ever more important if this species is to maintain or increase their populations."

The Black-browed Albatross is officially considered in danger of extinction. Earlier this year its status was elevated from the IUCN Red List category of Near Threatened to Vulnerable.