These birds not only hold an important heritage significance but they can also be of great help supporting a sustainable economic development in Ua Huka, through an ecotourism activity like birdwatching.
Outre leur importance patrimoniale, ces oiseaux ont une importance éco-touristique majeure pour le développement de Ua Huka.
The colonisation of black rats on the Island of Ua Huka would have a major impact on coconut plantations. Rats are good climbers and create extensive damage to coconuts. The monitoring of various rat-infested islands showed an average crop loss ranging from 20 to 80%. This loss increases up to 90% at low altitudes and during the dry season, as rats drink coconut water. Financially, a 20% and 50% croploss would respectively result in a loss of 48 000 and 105 000 euros per year in revenue for the inhabitants of Ua Huka. These numbers have been computed using the coprah industry data for the past three year.
As for human health, the black rat is a carrier of the leptospirosis bacteria, and a dangerous one at that, since it is not afraid to venture into homes. Leptospirosis is lethal if not prescribed quickly with antibiotics, actually killing a few people each year on rat infested islands.
Photo: Geoffray Sulpice training for rat trapping
His sister Hinapootu Sulpice also helps with trapping
MANU (SOP) has conducted a public opinion poll of the quarantine project in Ua Huka, and all were in favor. The association identified a location that would be suited for quarantine.
Picture 1 : Little Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans). You can see a black line on the tarsus of its hind legs, which is a typical feature for that species.
Picture 2 : Rattus norvegicus aka Brown rat (absent on Ua Huka) is a big rat but its tail does not exceed the length of his body. When folding its ears over its eyes, they do not reach the latters.
Picture 3 : This is a Black rat. As you can see, its tail is longer than its body length.
These pictures were taken in Tahiti.
Hit the “Birdwatching trips” link for more information.
Through sponsorship, the SOP has been able to offer anti-rodent devices, rat guards and posters to their contacts in Ua Huka. So far the plan is being followed.
Three solutions have been considered in concertation with the Autonomous Port authority:
The Huilerie de Tahiti needs to improve the management of its used coprah bags, and stop sending them to islands with no inspection. The sacks need to be either put in a container for cyanide acid treatment or in a room with anti-rodent devices to get rid of rats before shipment.
This project was realized through grants from the BEST (European Union) and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund). Another grant came from the TE ME UM (TErre et MEr UltraMarines) in 2013, which panel board comprises 17 members: RNF, WWF, French committee of UICN, Aten, PNF, LPO, ONF, French coastal protection agency, Nicolas Hulot Foundation , FPNRF, ONCFS, FCEN, AAMP, Rivages de France, FCBN, MEDDE and MOM.
We want to acknowledge the support of the Regional Department of Environment (DIREN), the local council of Ua Huka, and the Pacific Invasive Initiative (PII). We would like to thank all those who helped us in anyway, especially the members of the community-based action groups and of course, the population of Ua Huka for its warm welcome.