The Selvagens Islands are home to the largest colony of shearwaters in the Atlantic

A study coordinated by Portuguese researchers has revealed that the Selvagens Islands in the Madeira archipelago are home to the largest colony of shearwaters in the Atlantic, with around 39,000 pairs on a single island and an annual growth rate of 1.45% since 2009.

The researchers point out that the increase in the population is related to the recovery of the vegetation in Selvagem Grande, following the eradication of rabbits and rats in 2002, creating better nesting conditions for these seabirds.

Despite threats such as accidental capture in fishing, light pollution and plastics in the oceans, the study stresses that conservation efforts and land management have been fundamental to the growth of the shearwater population.

The Selvagens, classified as a nature reserve since 1971, were expanded in 2022 to become the largest marine protected area in the North Atlantic. In 2024, the catching of skipjack tuna for scientific purposes was temporarily authorized.

Read more here: https://www.dnoticias.pt/2025/1/29/436170-ilhas-selvagens-acolhem-a-maior-colonia-de-cagarras-do-atlantico-revela-estudo/