The new meta-analysis, published today in Science, considered 76 studies and included 62 different mammal species across six continents. Those studies monitored animals using technology like motion-activated cameras and satellite data along with direct human observation to record their activities. They also included information on how much the animals came into contact with humans, and considered variables like hunting, hiking, construction, urban development, and farming.
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“Even if you give an advantage to one part of the food web, you take away an advantage somewhere else,” John Barentine, the director of conservation at the International Dark-Sky Association, told Gizmodo. “You’ll quickly throw things out of balance.”

A Dark Sky Sanctuary is “public or private land that has an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value, its cultural heritage and/or public enjoyment.” They're at the very top of a certification process overseen by the Arizona-based International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), which also designates Dark Sky Parks and Dark Sky Reserves to protect against light pollution and preserve the night sky.

​“It will be a valid application given the islands’ isolation and quality of the night skies,” said John Barentine, IDA's Director of Conservation. “[The Pitcairn Islands] just have to make the world aware of this great resource.”

John Barentine, director of conservation for the IDA, is optimistic about Maine parks achieving designations; the darkness is already there. “I really think that once the pieces start to come together this will be pretty quick,” he said.

​“In the case of Acadia, they are not going to be the darkest Dark Sky Park in the world, and we know that and it is fine,” he said.

But nothing will happen unless Acadia applies, and that hasn’t happened yet. “The process doesn’t really begin until I get that,” he said.

Now, as annual visitor numbers in the Mackenzie District zero in on one million people for 2017-18 season, it has been revealed that the star gazing attraction could be struggling to cope and an expansion to other areas of the country is possible.

​IDA conservation director John Barentine said they were looking at the possibility of other sites becoming dark sky reserves.

"It's about taking some pressure off Tekapo and the Mackenzie, and also about extending the experience," Barentine said.

"Right now, the number of tourists going through Tekapo is taxing to the infrastructure."