NON-native predators are hunting threatened species to death on islands held by the UK, a new study claims.

In a new paper, scientists call for action to remove mice, rats and feral cats from 20 islands that make up parts of the UK’s Overseas Territories as part of broader attempts to slow the global rate of extinction.

Experts have highlighted 160 islands as a priority. They include British territories in the Caribbean, South Atlantic and Pacific.

It is claimed that eradicating predators here could improve the survival chances of globally threatened birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

As many as 75% of all known bird, mammal, amphibian and reptile extinctions since 1500 have taken place on islands. Many of these losses were a consequence of the introduction of non-native species by travellers.

The paper, published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE, ranks islands in order of their priority for restoration. Gough Island, a UK World Heritage Site which is part of the British Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha, which is known as the world’s most remote island community, is ranked third.

Predatory mice hunting seabird chicks at an “alarming” rate are said to cost the wildlife haven two million eggs and chicks every year, putting some bird species at “high risk” of extinction. Pigs and goats are cited as problems elsewhere.

Lead author Dr Nick Holmes, of Island Conservation, said: “Eradicating invasive mammals from islands is a powerful way to remove a key threat to island species and prevent extinctions and conserve biodiversity.

“This study is an invaluable global assessment of where these future conservation opportunities exist and supports regional and national

decision-making about where and how to prevent extinctions.”

Gough Island is currently the subject of a planned programme of mouse removal aimed at saving the critically endangered Tristan albatross and Gough bunting from extinction.

The project is a partnership involving local authorities, the RSPB, BirdLife South Africa, the South African Department of Environmental Affairs, Island Conservation and the UK Government.

Efforts are also under way to remove cats and rats from several isles in the Turks and Caicos Islands of the Caribbean to protect its critically endangered rock iguana.

Henderson Island, a UK World Heritage Site in the Pitcairn group of the Pacific, is the focus of efforts to save its Henderson petrel by dealing with the rat threat.

Jonathan Hall, the RSPB’s head of UK Overseas Territories, said: “This study shows how important it is to remove invasive mammals from islands to prevent further extinctions. What is needed now is the political will and funding to help carry out this much-needed work and restore these islands to their previous magnificence.”