 After the plantation was sold in the 1970s, the island fell into disuse, and was taken over by feral animals and alien species of weeds.In 1981, North Island was given to Marius Maier by his father.He intended to return the island to its former pristine state before human settlers arrived, including the removal of many unwanted animal and plant species, including pigs, rats, coconuts, casuarina, cows, Indian mynah birds, cats and a very intrusive weed called lantana.