Reindeer introduced in 1911 devastated South Georgia before successful culling

Norwegian whalers introduced reindeer to South Georgia in 1911 as a food source. With no natural predators on the island, the reindeer population grew unchecked and caused serious damage to fragile coastal ecosystems and native species. Authorities eventually launched a large-scale eradication program, removing nearly 7,000 reindeer from the island. The effort proved effective, allowing native vegetation and seabird populations to begin recovering.