Inventory field work

In June 2012, a team of scientists (botanist, marine biologist and ornithologists) plus one local guide reached three uninhabited atolls south of the Tuamotu (Morane, Vahanga, Tenarunga). These atolls being so remote, very few boats come alongside.

Morane is a safe haven for birds. It hosts no introduced predators such as rats or cats. Marie-Hélène Burle studied the Tuamotu sandpiper, a.k.a titi, as her PhD topic (University of Vancouver). The titi is endemic to the Tuamotu islands and is on the brink of extinction. She estimated the titi population of Morane at 500 birds, which is the largest known congregation of that species.
Besides, Thomas Ghestemme from Manu association has been studying the Polynesian Ground-dove, a.k.a.tutururu, also endemic to the Tuamotu and critically endangered (CR).

The Acteon group, is a subgroup consisting of four Tuamotu islands: Tenararo, Vahanga, Tenarunga and Matureivavao (from North to South). Tenararo is well preserved, free of introduced predators and therefore shelters many bird species, amongst which the titi and the tutururu. In contrast, Vahanga used to be a copra-producing area and is now protected and his access prohibited, whereas Tenarunga is still being exploited for copra. Men accidentally introduced rats on these two atolls. They are a major threat to eggs and chicks. Therefore, the SOP considered eradicating them entirely from these atolls with her partners, BirdLife International and Island Conservation.