Expedition to save Polynesian Ground-dove on track to be a success.
The Critically Endangered Polynesian Ground-dove is one of the world’s rarest birds. It is found only in French Polynesia. BirdLife International estimates there are fewer than 100 remaining on the entire planet (some local experts say fewer than 50).
Invasive rats, introduced to islands in French Polynesia decades ago, are pushing the ground-dove, as well as other native species such as the Endangered Tuamotu Sandpiper, to extinction. Without intervention, we will lose many of French Polynesia’s extraordinary plants and animals forever.
To know more click on the website of Island Conservation
Right now, Island Conservation Project Director, Richard Griffiths is on French Polynesia’s Acteon and Gambier archipelagos with a team of expert island restoration specialists led by BirdLife International to save the ground-dove and sandpiper. Assisted by Société d’Ornithologie de Polynésie (SOP) Manu, BirdLife’s Partner in French Polynesia, the team is removing damaging invasive species from Vahanga and five other islands in French Polynesia over the next few weeks.
About this project:
BirdLife International, with SOP Manu (BirdLife Partner in French Polynesia), and Island Conservation, is leading a huge island restoration operation in a remote area of French Polynesia to save Critically Endangered birds species and restore the delicate ecological balance. Our ambitious project is restoring the Acteon & Gambier archipelagos to their former glory, safe and ready for the reintroduction of Tuamotu Sandpiper and Polynesian Ground-dove, and benefitting many other wildlife. By sharing transport, equipment and expertise, we’ve significantly reduced the cost of restoring all six islands that are threatened, but is nonetheless our biggest project of the decade.
Additional technical assistance has come from the Pacific Invasives Intiative and the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
This project has received support from many international and national organisations with significant funding from the European Union, the British Birdwatching Fair, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation; sponsorships from Bell Laboratories and T-Gear Trust Canada; and assistance from the Government of French Polynesia and many individual people around the world.
But crucially we still need your help! Please support us at http://kriticalmass.com/p/savepacificbirds
There is still work to be done and we can’t do it without you. You can join our crusade to save the Critically Endangered Polynesian Ground-dove and Endangered Tuamotu Sandpiper by pitching in here. Birdlife International is also providing regular project updates, you can follow along here.
Thank you for your support!