Land Purchase Creates Fiji’s First Bat Sanctuary
(PRWEB) July 31, 2018 -- Rainforest Trust and Bat Conservation International (BCI) supported local partner the National Trust of Fiji in the purchase of over 20 acres on Vanua Levu Island to create the nation’s first bat sanctuary. This strategic purchase – which was officially dedicated with a large, local ceremony last week – protects the majority of the land above Nakanacagi Cave, home to the only known maternity colony of the Endangered Fijian Free-tailed Bat.
“This is an exceptional opportunity to protect a single site that is literally irreplaceable for the security of the Fijian Free-tailed Bat,” said Dr. George Wallace, Chief Conservation Officer for Rainforest Trust. “In the absence of protection, the fate of nearly the entire global population would be potentially in jeopardy, but we have a chance here to provide a much more certain future for the species.”
Securing this parcel of land initiates the process of creating the new Nakanacagi Cave Reserve. A forthcoming adjacent parcel will add over 30 additional acres, ensuring protection of the entire cave system and surrounding habitat. Ultimately, the entire area will be formally integrated into the Fijian government’s nascent protected areas system.
“The overall goal of this project is to establish sustainable partnerships that result in the long-term protection of the cave and the unique biodiversity of this area. Around 95 percent of the global population of Fijian Free-tailed Bats rely on this one site and initial biodiversity assessments recorded at least 20 endemic plants surrounding the cave,” said Chair of the National Trust of Fiji Craig Powell.
Some researchers believe the other 5 percent, on the island of Vanuatu, may actually be another bat species. This would make this cave system even more crucial for the species’ survival.
Local communities used to hunt Fijian Free-tailed Bats for food. Recent conservation outreach efforts have curbed bat consumption, but without formal protection, hunting could resume. The local partner is working to create a consensus amongst the local communities on the importance of conservation, and the Nakanacagi Cave Reserve’s creation is a vital part of this plan.
Hence, last week’s launch was an elaborate traditional dedication ceremony of prayer, kava, song, feast and dance, including one inspired by the bats themselves. The much revered Tui Macuata (Paramount Chief), Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, an outspoken conservationist, commended the village on ceasing the traditional harvest of the bats. Protection of the cave was further pledged by the District Chief and local community leaders in front of a group of around 300 ceremonial participants, made up of local community members, school children and guests from the local government, Rainforest Trust, BCI, National Trust of Fiji, Nature Fiji, Museum of Fiji, International Union for Conservation of Nature and the University of the South Pacific.
“The pageantry and high spirits of the dedication ceremony by the Nakanacagi villagers, clans and provincial leaders was inspiring,” said BCI Chief Conservation Officer Kevin Pierson, who attended the ceremony. “Of Fiji’s six bat species, five are in decline. This sanctuary is a critical step in the protection of the Fijian Free-tailed Bat and a wonderful first major conservation win for the Fijian Bat Conservation Initiative.”
Besides bat hunting, erosion and deforestation threaten the cave and surrounding habitat. Past logging and burning has degraded some areas of the native forest, causing it to be susceptible to damage from extreme winds that accompany tropical cyclones. With protection and restoration undertaken by Nature Fiji, the forest can begin to recover and make erosion less potentially damaging.
The reserve will be formalized over the next five years under the Fiji Forestry Department’s Reserve Demarcation Policy. A management plan will be put in place and local conservation rangers will be deployed to ensure continuing conservation successes.
About Rainforest Trust
Rainforest Trust is a leading international conservation organization that has been steadfast in its mission for 30 years to save endangered species through the purchase and protection of imperiled tropical habitats in partnership with local partners and communities. Since its founding in 1988, Rainforest Trust has helped protect over 18 million acres of rainforest and other tropical habitats in more than 125 project sites around the world. Presently, Rainforest Trust is working to establish a network of over 190 protected areas toward its goal of strategically protecting 50 million acres by 2020. Rainforest Trust has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, and 100 percent of project gifts directly fund vital conservation action. For more information, visit http://www.RainforestTrust.org
For media inquiries with Rainforest Trust, please contact:
Alyssa Wiltse-Ahmad
Media Relations Officer
Alyssa(at)RainforestTrust.org
1-800-456-4930
About Bat Conservation International
Bat Conservation International (BCI) is a nonprofit organization with members in 60 countries and a growing range of international partners. Founded in 1982, BCI uses science, education and conservation action to protect bats and their habitats around the world. Learn more about bats and their critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and human economies at BCI’s website:http://www.batcon.org.
For media inquires with Bat Conservation International, please contact:
Katie Jepson
Content Producer
media(at)batcon.org
About National Trust of Fiji
Specializing in both the natural and cultural aspects of heritage conservation in Fiji, the National Trust of Fiji (NTF) currently protects a total of 14 heritage sites within the Fiji islands. Of these 14 sites, five are natural and four are cultural, while the remaining five are community conservation projects facilitated by the NTF. NTF is a statutory body funded jointly by the Fiji Government, independent donors and multilateral projects. It was established in 1970 to provide for the protection of Fiji’s natural, cultural and national heritage.
For media inquires with National Trust of Fiji, please contact:
Elizabeth Erasito
Director, National Trust of Fiji
T +679 3301807 I F +679 3305092
https://naturefiji.org/profile/national-trust-of-fiji/
eerasito(at)nationaltrust.org.fj
Alyssa Wiltse-Ahmad, Rainforest Trust, +1 5402706810, [email protected]
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