On a remote Australian outpost, that’s actually closer to New Zealand than the mainland, a plan has been hatched to track three species of predatory rodents that are picking off the island’s unique native birds. Oddly it involves a can of yellow paint and a UV light.

The method is a simple one. It was used well before scientists started attaching radio trackers to animals and standing on mountain tops with large aerials to monitor their movements.

It’s hoped by understanding how Polynesian rats, black rats and house mice move around Norfolk Island, the researchers can eradicate them and protect the bird species whose nests they are raiding.