Come check out what folks are doing in Tonga...
A conservation push in Tonga's remote Island of Late.
We wanted to focus on one of the many projects that Island Conservation is working on. We tend to think about conservation at a 50,000 ft. level and forget about the wonderful, nitty gritty efforts done out in the field. That's why we are dialing down and showcasing one of the many projects they are working on. We think you'll get a kick out of what they are doing out on Late Island.
No, the island is not late to the party. Late Island is actually an uninhabited, tropical island southwest of Vavaʻu in the kingdom of Tonga. It's a small, roughly 4 mile-wide, circular volcanic island that is 35 miles off the island of Vavaʻu. Its conical summit reaches almost 1,800 feet above sea level and an elongated block-type structure on the NE flank of the island contains two large pit craters---one contains a saltwater lake. It's a remote place, but it's flourishing thanks to our friends over at Island Conservation.
Island Conservation removes a primary threat to healthy island ecosystems: invasive species. They then accelerate the return of native plants and animals using innovative methods. The results are dramatic! They've restored hundreds of island ecosystems using this nature-based solution across the globe and seen incredible benefits – enhanced coral health, thriving biodiversity, increased climate change resilience, growing forests, sustainable communities and more. Their small, but mighty team of island restoration specialists are dedicated to fixing a solvable problem.
Here's the skinny on what they are doing for Late Island...
It’s been over a year since the Kingdom of Tonga carried out a ground-breaking mission to restore and re-wild Late Island by eradicating invasive rats, potentially marking it as the largest rat-free island in the Pacific.
During a recent monitoring visit to Late Island in May 2024, conducted by members of the Vava’u Protection Association, Tonga Department of Environment, and Island Conservation as the technical lead for the PRISMSS Predator Free Pacific (PFP) Programme, there were already promising signs emerging suggesting that this sanctuary of biodiversity for Tonga may be well on its way to achieving its monumental goal. A noticeable increase in seabird populations and other land wildlife was observed.
Islands Conservation's notes from the field...
“Upon approaching the island after a 35-mile boat ride, we immediately noticed a significant rise in seabird populations, with hundreds of Boobies, Noddies, Frigatebirds and Terns circling the island – a stark contrast to the smaller numbers observed in 2023. We also witnessed and heard more land birds, crabs and lizards than before,” noted Helen Fairlamb (Island Conservation’s Conservation Impact Monitoring Specialist).
We did find ourselves wondering if the larger numbers observed this year was all in our heads – was it just wishful thinking? But after quickly crunching some numbers from bird point-count surveys conducted in 2023 (before the operation) and again in 2024, our earliest evidence is showing more than double the number of birds on Late in just nine short months following rat removal.
Over the course of a week, the team worked on re-deploying biodiversity monitors, including camera traps and acoustic recorders, programmed to continuously assess native species population dynamics. More promising news emerged after rat detection systems were set up to gauge the operation’s success, detecting zero signs of continued rat presence, making it highly probable that the island will soon be declared free of invasive rats.
“Bird point counts are just one measure of success; however, out of caution, we will continue to monitor the island in a variety of ways in the coming years,” said Island Conservation Project Director, Richard Griffiths.
“While we recognize the need for continued monitoring, these early signs of recovery highlight the resilience of nature and the potential for effective conservation actions to drive positive change. The rebounding native species populations on Late Island serve as yet another beacon of hope, demonstrating that our collaborative conservation efforts indeed result in tangible impacts, safeguarding our planet’s biodiversity for future generations.”
Once the island is declared rat-free, the partnership will implement another conservation intervention with the re-introduction of threatened endemic species such as the Malau (Tongan Megapode). This unique land bird roosts atop Tonga’s volcanic islands, warming its eggs not via body heat but rather by the heat of these islands’ steam vents.
“There are currently only two populations of this species in the world, so establishing a third population on Late Island would be yet another incredible win for conservation – and more evidence that conservation works,” said Fairlamb.
SPREP’s Invasive Species Adviser, David Moverley, has been working with Tonga to progress this work on Late for over 10 years and commends the team at the Environment Department and VEPA for their relentless efforts to reach this milestone.
“The successful removal of rats from Late Island is a significant milestone for Kingdom of Tonga. Late Island was identified for the removal of rats in the first National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan 2013-2020,” said Moverley. “Following the development of a Feasibility Assessment and Operational Plan in 2014, it has been a long journey to secure the funding required to complete the job. It really is a credit to the Tongan team from the Environment Department for their ongoing commitment and I look forward to seeing the people of Tonga enjoy the incredible opportunities that this now provides in the form of tourism and sustainable development.”
For us at Island Conservation, the research conducted by Dr. Penny Langhammer and her colleagues confirm that our work to restore island ecosystems through invasive species removal and other restoration interventions, such as species reintroductions, is just the type of conservation action the world needs to effectively improve biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Late is just one battlefront in the ongoing war against biodiversity loss. Conservationists worldwide are striving to implement effective strategies to protect species and ecosystems for the benefit of nature and people. Islands To Highlands supports what Islands Conservation is doing to protect our environment. It may look like a dream job to work in such wonderful settings, but when you have to roll your sleeves up and do the daily grind of conservation, it can be very tough work. The adverse conditions and long-term dedication to seeing projects through to completion goes mainly unseen by most of us.
Island Conservation is headquartered in Santa Cruz, CA with field offices in Chile, Ecuador, Hawaii, New Zealand, Palau, and Puerto Rico. Since their founding in 1994, Island Conservation and their partners have successfully restored 65+ islands worldwide, benefiting 1218 populations of 504+ species and subspecies! Island Conservation is dedicating their efforts to saving these wonderful islands and they love getting their hands dirty for the cause. They need your help, so go check out what they do and how you can support their immediate efforts!
Island Conservation
P.O. Box 80709
City of Industry, CA 91716-8415 USA
Ph: (831) 515-7314
Email: info@islandconservation.org
Other Ways To Donate
There are several ways to donate to this important cause and it's super easy! For every item you purchase with us, Islands To Highlands will donate a portion to Island Conservation. You can also donate directly to Island Conservation by visiting their website at www.islandconservation.org/donate-to-island-conservation/ or reach out via email at giving@islandconservation.org
Organizations like this always need your help so please share their story and reach out directly to them to see how you can contribute. Mahalo!
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A BIG shout-out to Helen Fairlamb and Island Conservation for providing the photographs for this post. We especially dig this last one...what a lovely sunset for all of nature to see...
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