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    Rat Island (Kryssei, Hawadax) Aleutian Islands | Alaska United States

Location
The Rat Island is located in the Rat Group (Rat Islands) are located in the Aleutian Island Chain (Aleutian Islands) in Alaska in the United States. To the west is Segula Island and to the east is Khvostof Island. Previously known as Rat Island. Also known as Kryssei Island and since 2008 known as Hawadax Island.

Prewar
This island is an uninhabited. During 1780, a Japanese sailing ship wrecked off the island, allowing norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) to reach the shore, reproduce and infest the island. Afterwards, the island was dubbed "Rat Island" by visitos. due to the number of rodents on the island.

Wartime History
On July 2, 1943 U.S. Army soldiers land unopposed on Rat Island.

American missions against Rat Island
November 26, 1942–July 26, 1943

Today
During 2008, the Alaska wildlife managers managed to eradicate every rat on the island using poison dropped from helicopters. Afterwards, renamed Hawadax Island meaning entry or welcome in the Aleut language. The island is uninhabited.

References
Los Angeles Times "Rat Island's reviled namesake is targeted" December 9, 2007
Daily Mail "Goodbye, Rat Island! Alaska's rodent-free site gets new tongue-twister of a name - Hawadax Read" May 31, 2012

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Last Updated
July 1, 2022

 

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