Nola Talaepa and Moeumu UiliNola Talaepa and Moeumu UiliNational University of SamoaNational University of Samoa

1.0 INTRODUCTION:1.0 INTRODUCTION:

SAMOASAMOA

- an independent developing state- an independent developing state

- total land area approx. 2935 sq.km- total land area approx. 2935 sq.km

- population of approx. 165,000 people- population of approx. 165,000 people

- high species endemism over 30% of it’s - high species endemism over 30% of it’s

total biodiversitytotal biodiversity

PlantsPlants- 500 species of nature flowering plants- 500 species of nature flowering plants

- 220 species of ferns- 220 species of ferns- 25% of the plants are endemic to - 25% of the plants are endemic to

SamoaSamoa- 500 or so species of plants been - 500 or so species of plants been

introduced introduced- Today, half of the plants are exotic- Today, half of the plants are exotic

MammalsMammalsTerrestial: 13 species Terrestial: 13 species

- 3 are native: 2 flying foxes- Samoan- 3 are native: 2 flying foxes- SamoanFlying fox, Tongan or White necked Flying fox, Tongan or White necked Flying fox, small insectivorous bat – Flying fox, small insectivorous bat –

Sheath-tailed bat.Sheath-tailed bat.- introduced species:- introduced species:

* Polynesian rat ( * Polynesian rat (Rattus exulansRattus exulans)) * Pigs and dogs* Pigs and dogs

* cattle, horses, goats, cats * cattle, horses, goats, cats * 2 more species of rats * 2 more species of rats

( (R. norvegicus and R. rattusR. norvegicus and R. rattus)) * house mouse * house mouse

- 14 were recorded as “ rare or - 14 were recorded as “ rare or endangered” endangered”

ReptilesReptiles- 2 species of turtle: green turtle and - 2 species of turtle: green turtle and

the hawksbill the hawksbill

Marine: 991 speciesMarine: 991 species- 890 inhabit shallow water or reefs- 890 inhabit shallow water or reefs

- 56 in deeper water- 56 in deeper water- 45 are pelagic- 45 are pelagic

Marine:Marine:- several whale species- several whale species

- 1 dolphin: spinner dolphin- 1 dolphin: spinner dolphin-- Humpback whale and Sperm whale Humpback whale and Sperm whale

believed to bred here believed to bred here

BirdsBirds- 35 species land birds- 35 species land birds

- 21 sea and shore birds- 21 sea and shore birds(8 of the land birds are endemic)(8 of the land birds are endemic)

(4 introduced species)(4 introduced species)

WHY SO SERIOUS?WHY SO SERIOUS?

The effects of alien invasive species on biodiversity have been described as ‘immense, insidious and usually irreversible’ (IUCN, 2000)

MYNA BirdsMYNA Birds

Native to AsiaNative to AsiaKnown as ‘Farmer’s Known as ‘Farmer’s

friend’ in India, even friend’ in India, even kept as pets kept as pets (www.nzbirds.com)(www.nzbirds.com)

Pet or Pet or Pest?Pest?

Top 100 most invasive species Top 100 most invasive species (IUCN, 2000)(IUCN, 2000)Large dispersion pattern Large dispersion pattern globallyglobally

• South AfricaSouth Africa• HawaiiHawaii• New ZealandNew Zealand• Australia and...Australia and...• SamoaSamoa

www.indianmynaaction.org.au

Myna- not so minor in SamoaMyna- not so minor in SamoaJungle Myna (Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus) Acridotheres fuscus) & &

Common Myna (Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)Acridotheres tristis) Invasion pathway in Samoa disputed.Invasion pathway in Samoa disputed.First noticed in early 1980’sFirst noticed in early 1980’sMAF primary suspect to have deliberately MAF primary suspect to have deliberately

introduced as a biological control for Cattle introduced as a biological control for Cattle ticksticks

Get a move on...Get a move on...Early 1980’s- Early 1980’s- possible introductionpossible introduction

2004- 2004- Invasiveness only just realised c 2004. First Invasiveness only just realised c 2004. First discussions began on how to address the issue.discussions began on how to address the issue.

2005-2005- Proposal prepared, sent to SPREP for financial aid. Proposal prepared, sent to SPREP for financial aid.

2006- 2006- Government of Samoa forwards strong arguments to Government of Samoa forwards strong arguments to act on myna bird problem.act on myna bird problem.

2008-2008- Cabinet proclaimed approval of the proposal to fund Cabinet proclaimed approval of the proposal to fund implementation of the Myna Control Projectimplementation of the Myna Control Project

Finally...Finally...MNRE assigned as leading arm of MCPMNRE assigned as leading arm of MCPGovernment grants MNRE $SAT250,000Government grants MNRE $SAT250,000Just completed 5Just completed 5thth phase in Nov, 2009 phase in Nov, 20095,903 mynas recorded to have been killed 5,903 mynas recorded to have been killed

during all 5 phases (July 2009, Nov 2009, during all 5 phases (July 2009, Nov 2009, Apr 2010, June 2010 & Nov 2010) Apr 2010, June 2010 & Nov 2010)

On the other hand...On the other hand...Aleipata Offshore Islands:Aleipata Offshore Islands: > 2 of 4 islands identified as Key > 2 of 4 islands identified as Key

Biodiversity AreasBiodiversity Areas• Nu’utele Island & Nu’ulua IslandNu’utele Island & Nu’ulua Island• Host large population of Friendly Ground Dove (Tua’imeo), Host large population of Friendly Ground Dove (Tua’imeo),

which are threatenedwhich are threatened

Restoration urgently called forRestoration urgently called for• Only mammalian pest known to be present was the Only mammalian pest known to be present was the

Pacific/Polynesian Rat (Pacific/Polynesian Rat (Rattus exulansRattus exulans).).• Also, Yellow Crazy Ant (Also, Yellow Crazy Ant (Anoplolepis gracillipes)Anoplolepis gracillipes) present, also present, also

known to feed on turtle and bird hatchlings.known to feed on turtle and bird hatchlings.

Benefit species:Friendly ground doveTooth-billed pigeonSeabirdsLand snailsLizardsForest flora

AIREP 2009AIREP 2009Aleipata Islands Rat Eradication ProjectAleipata Islands Rat Eradication ProjectBirds caught and transferred to aviary in Upolu (main Birds caught and transferred to aviary in Upolu (main

Island)Island)Pestoff Rodent Bait 20R distributed containing the Pestoff Rodent Bait 20R distributed containing the

toxin brodifacoumtoxin brodifacoum

Post-AIREPPost-AIREP Monthly monitoringMonthly monitoring

• Victor trapVictor trap• Bait stationsBait stations• Wax tagsWax tags• Tomahawk trapsTomahawk traps

Enhanced FGD population, as Enhanced FGD population, as well as other faunawell as other fauna

Forest regenerationForest regeneration

Opportunity created to tranlocate Opportunity created to tranlocate

threatened species from the mainthreatened species from the main islandisland

Zero mice found!Zero mice found!

No mice = chance for No mice = chance for seedling growthseedling growth

Pre- AIREP operation...Pre- AIREP operation...Thoroughly researched- Thoroughly researched- similar operations similar operations

beforehand studiedbeforehand studied

Consultation workshops- Consultation workshops- beginning from 2006beginning from 2006

Extra precautions-Extra precautions- e.g. bait dyed green to further e.g. bait dyed green to further prevent bird ingestion; helicopter used even though prevent bird ingestion; helicopter used even though expensive; birds captured and taken to aviaryexpensive; birds captured and taken to aviary

Notification-Notification- e.g. coconut crabs: publicised visitors e.g. coconut crabs: publicised visitors not to eat the crabs. Warnings were placed for not to eat the crabs. Warnings were placed for conservative length of timeconservative length of time

Inclusion-Inclusion- community members recruited community members recruited

Lessons learntLessons learntNeed to prevent- tighten BIOSECURITYNeed to prevent- tighten BIOSECURITYIMMEDIATE actionIMMEDIATE actionThorough research and planningThorough research and planning

Refer to past operations, consultations with Refer to past operations, consultations with necessary stakeholdersnecessary stakeholders

Publicity & Awareness programmesPublicity & Awareness programmes

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTIONTHANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

TOFA SOIFUATOFA SOIFUA