Introduced reindeer on South Georgia—A management dilemma

Introduced mammals have had a major impact on the biota of islands in the Southern Ocean. Management plans for some islands include control measures for both introduced herbivores and carnivores that are justified on scientific grounds. In contrast, any active management of reindeer on South Georgia does not have a scientific justification since the survival of native species and communities are not at present threatened. Instead, the management option which is eventually chosen from those which are technically appropriate will be based on a value judgement by the management authority.