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Flock to Marion

10,000 Birds

In 1776, James Cook sailed past the islands due to charts and navigation of du Fresne’s second in command, Julien Crozet. When the base was built and managed by the South African government, the mice were found to be a minor nuisance so five cats were brought in to manage the mice population at the base.

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Petrel Paradise

10,000 Birds

The first to cruise past in a hurry were the stunning Cook’s Petrels. It is also restricted as a breeder to the north of North Island. The final large petrel species is another gadfly petrel, albeit a much larger one than the Cook’s Petrel. Wicked, right? Hat-tip to Stella.