Dr. Kenneth Saladin says he funded the work “partly because the project was very well defined, with a realistic timetable, well-itemized objectives, costs, and measurable outcomes, and partly because it was something I could afford to do.”

“This project especially inspired me because black rats are such a dire threat to this ecosystem,” he said.

In 2006, Saladin decided to use a share his textbook royalties to fund the Charles Darwin Research Station project, which later became known as “Rat Eradication on North Seymore, one of the 19 Galapagos Islands. The island measures just three-quarters of a square mile. The project also eradicated the rats on Mosquera, an even smaller island - just swimming distance for the rats on North Seymore.

Pirate ships brought black rats, also known as “ship rats,” to the islands in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The rats, which range from 6 to 8 inches, breed throughout the year, with a female producing three to six litters of as many as 10 young.

The rats are extremely destructive to the ecosystem. They eat the eggs and young of ground-nesting birds, such as the blue-footed boobies and albatrosses, as well as tree-nesting birds such as Darwin's finches, mockingbirds, and frigate birds. In addition, they often feed on land iguanas and giant tortoises. The rats also carry microbial pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and protozoan, as well as fleas and ticks that can infect native species and produce devastating diseases.

As part of the eradication effort, research scientists baited traps with peanut butter in 2006 to capture the rats. In 2007, field workers also distributed klerate poison baits every 20 meters. Then, in June and October 2008, workers spread more peanut butter-baited live traps across the island.

“Field workers will continue monitoring every six months for three years, but so far it appears that the black rat is totally exterminated from North Seymour and nearby Mosquera Islands,” Saladin said. “Furthermore, careful studies have found no evidence that any native, non-pest species has been harmed. These are wonderful results, a very significant success story in global conservation work.”

Thanks to Saladin’s funding and the success of “Rat Eradication on North Seymore,” the Ecuadorian government now will provide the multimillion-dollar budget needed for rat extermination on the larger islands in the chain.

“I felt that it was a very unusual opportunity for me to have a definite, identifiable influence on the ecology of the Galapagos Islands, rather than just donating money into a big pool and having no idea of what was really accomplished because of my specific contribution,” Saladin said.

“I like seeing the results of my effort, and not just feeling that I contributed 0.0000001% of some gigantic budget.”