Tourists horror as ten islands off Australia are shut down after infestation of rats

A group of ten islands on Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef are being shut down to tourists amid an infestation of rats.

The Frankland Islands group, a hugely popular destination for reef cruises departing from Cairns, will be closed.

The islands are known to teem with pristine wildlife, such as migratory birds and the Green Sea Turtle, which both use the islands as nesting sites.

The islands are known to teem with pristine wildlife, such as migratory birds and the Green Sea Turtle, which both use the islands as nesting sites (pictured; Fitzroy Island)

Also to be closed are the North Barnard Islands group, another popular tourist hotspot known for kayaking and whale sightings.

These islands are important parts of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area for seabird colonies and other native wildlife according to the Department of Environment and Science.

The islands are to be closed from Monday for the next three weeks as the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service works to control the plague of black rats which has been harming native wildlife.

‘The control of black rats on these islands is a high priority and will play a significant role in restoring the valuable seabird nesting habitat in the area,’ a Department of Environment and Science spokesman said in a statement.

The statement says the pest management program will also help prevent further rat infestations to nearby islands that support large numbers of seabird breeding colonies.

The Southern Barnard Islands located nearby, which are internationally renowned as a breeding site for migratory birds such as the bridled tern, will not be closed.

These islands are important parts of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area for seabird colonies and other native wildlife according to the Department of Environment and Science (pictured; Esk Island)