The story of Redonda is a testament to the power of nature to heal itself when given the chance. This small, uninhabited island, located 30 miles from Antigua, was once a barren volcanic outcrop, stripped of its natural beauty and wildlife by human activity. Invasive goats and rats had ravaged the island's ecosystem, consuming or destroying much of the fragile wildlife and vegetation. But a major restoration program, led by conservationists, has brought about a remarkable transformation.
In 2017, over 6,000 rats and starving goats were removed from Redonda, and the results were astonishing. Within months, native plants began to return, and within two years, vegetation cover and biomass had increased more than 20-fold. The population of Redonda's rare ground lizards had risen eightfold, and bird species that had disappeared from the island began to return. The landscape changed from brown and dusty to green and alive, according to a report by the BBC.
What makes this story particularly fascinating is the speed at which the island recovered. Scientists had expected it to take around five years for the island to show major signs of recovery, but instead, changes occurred within months. This demonstrates the incredible resilience of island ecosystems and the importance of removing invasive species to allow nature to heal itself.
The goats fed on vegetation, preventing native trees, shrubs, and grasses from recovering, while the rats preyed on eggs, chicks, insects, and small reptiles. Together, these invasive species placed enormous pressure on an ecosystem that had evolved without them. By removing them, conservationists created the conditions for Redonda's natural recovery.
The restoration program did not involve immediately covering the island with new trees or attempting to rebuild the ecosystem artificially. Instead, conservationists waited to see what would happen once the invasive animals were gone. This approach allowed the island's own ecological processes to resume, and the results were remarkable.
New plants helped stabilize the soil, provided food and shelter for wildlife, and created conditions in which other species could return. As the ground cover increased, the island became more capable of supporting insects, reptiles, and birds. According to Fauna & Flora International, vegetation cover and biomass eventually increased by more than 20-fold. Other assessments have described the total rise in vegetation biomass as greater than 2,000%.
Redonda's rare reptiles were among the clearest beneficiaries of the restoration. With invasive rats no longer hunting young lizards and competing for food, endemic populations began to grow. The Redonda ground lizard, sometimes called the Redonda ground dragon, saw a significant increase after the rats and goats were removed. Monitoring recorded an eightfold rise in its population during the early stages of recovery. Later assessments reported an even larger increase, with some estimates placing the population at 13 times its 2017 level.
Redonda's tree lizards also benefited, with their numbers increasing several times over. Invertebrate populations rose as vegetation recovered, providing more food for reptiles and birds. The island's birdlife changed as well, with the number of land bird species recorded on Redonda increasing from nine to 23, while 15 species returned within about two years. Seabirds such as brown boobies, frigatebirds, and red-billed tropicbirds began nesting on the island again.
The recovery of Redonda is now regarded as one of the Caribbean's most remarkable conservation success stories. It shows how quickly an island ecosystem can respond when the pressure from invasive species is removed. This case study offers a hopeful message for other islands around the world. Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to island wildlife, but removing them can unlock an extraordinary natural response.
The transformation of Redonda began with a simple but difficult decision: to take away the animals that were destroying the ecosystem. What followed was a remarkable demonstration of nature's ability to rebuild itself. From a barren volcanic rock, Redonda has become a thriving refuge for plants, lizards, and seabirds, and a powerful example of what conservation can achieve.
However, the work is not yet complete. Long-term monitoring, biosecurity measures, and continued protection are necessary to ensure that rats and goats do not regain a foothold. The Redonda Ecosystem Reserve, a protected area covering the island, nearby waters, seagrass meadows, and coral reef, is a crucial step in safeguarding the island's future. This reserve will help Antigua and Barbuda advance its biodiversity and conservation goals, and protect the island's unique and fragile ecosystem for generations to come.
