The eradication of Black Rats from Monito Island was the first rat removal action implemented by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PRDNER) starting in 1992 and received great resistance internally and externally. The main conservation targets were the recovery of the Monito Island gecko and important seabird's colonies. This action was completed in 1999, and Monito gecko population assessments (2016 and after) showed dramatic increases in numbers with population estimate of 7661 geckos and occupancy of 27.8%. Thus, the Monito Island gecko was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species list in 2019. Post delisting monitoring for the gecko and assessments of the seabird's population have continued and the success of this project has supported the implementation of more ambitious eradication programs in lands under the jurisdiction of PRDNER.  In addition, the relatively reduced amount of resources invested in this successful initiative should encourage conservation organizations to identify and prioritize restoring similar species with short time and manageable efforts to recover.