In a significant milestone for biodiversity and community resilience in Tonga, invasive rat and feral pig populations have been removed from the uninhabited islets of Kelefesia and Tonumea in the Ha’apai Group.
This achievement, led by Tonga’s Department of Environment and supported by the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) Predator Free Pacific Programme Technical Lead, Island Conservation, brings renewed hope for Tonga’s vulnerable ecosystems and serves as a model for similar conservation efforts across the Pacific.
The eradication project, carried out over five weeks from July to November 2024, focused on restoring the islets’ delicate ecosystems, which serve as critical habitats for native bird species and endangered turtles. The project was conducted in two key stages: first, a team of 8 dedicated local “invasive battlers” camped on the islets for three weeks to remove all feral pigs, ensuring they would not interfere with rat eradication efforts or consume rat poison intended for the rats.
Following pig removal, a team of 10 which included four from Tonga's Department of Environment under the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), four local participants from Nomuka, and two team members from Island Conservation camped on the islands to focus on the rodents.
The team cleared pathways and established distribution points for the conservation bait. This multi-species effort helps protect the islands' ecosystems from the severe threats posed by invasive rats and pigs, including the spread of disease, the destruction of food and vegetation, and predation on nesting birds and eggs.
“This project is another example of Tonga leading the way in the management of invasive species to build climate resilience,” said Mr Richard Griffiths, Head of Operations at Island Conservation.
“With further resources, we hope to continue expanding these efforts across other Tongan islands to benefit both the environment and local communities.”
The eradication effort strengthens Ha’apai’s climate resilience by providing more natural resources for local communities and promoting a healthier, more robust ecosystem capable of withstanding environmental pressures such as extreme weather and rising sea levels.
Removing invasive species restores the vital nutrient flows that connect the land and sea, leading to healthier fish populations and stronger reefs. Restoring native vegetation and habitats also helps reduce the community's vulnerability to food supply disruptions, ensuring a more sustainable and self-sufficient future for Ha’apai.
Community engagement and capacity-building were essential to the project’s approach. Community members from nearby islands such as Nomuka participated in training sessions on biosecurity and eradication techniques, bolstering local expertise and commitment to ongoing biosecurity practices. In the coming weeks, the invasive species team plans to visit Fonoi to discuss biosecurity measures and rat control, followed by a consultation with the Mango community in December.
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) PRISMSS Manager, Mr Dominic Sadler shared that, “this initiative is part of the PRISMSS's Predator Free Pacific (PFP) programme, led by Island Conservation, and it exemplifies the power of collaborative, region-wide conservation efforts to protect biodiversity and strengthen ecosystem resilience across the Pacific.”
“We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Tonga to keep building climate resilience through invasive species management.”
SPREP is the executing agency for the Restoring Island Resilience (RIR) project, a collaboration funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, which aims to enhance Pacific Island livelihoods and climate resilience by mitigating the impacts of invasive species on both natural and agricultural ecosystems.
A follow-up monitoring exercise is scheduled for 2025 to confirm the long-term success of the eradication on Kelefesia and Tonumea.