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Fiji Petrel Expedition 2008 Aborted

Written by Jackie During

Saturday, 30 August 2008

An expedition to observe the Fiji Petrel had to be aborted after 3 days due to mechanical problems with the expedition boat. Another expedition will be launched in 2009.

The Fiji Petrel is an enigmatic species with only one specimen known in 1855 and then seen again in 1984 when a bird crashed into Dick Watling, landing on his head. Since then only ten birds, mainly juveniles, have been recorded when crashing into roofs in local villages. The biology of the species is apparently entirely unknown.

Source

From Wikipedia:

“ … This bird is described as being 30cm tall dark with chocolate-coloured feathers, a dark eye and bill and pale blue foot patches. It may be seen in waters around Gau Island but is believed to disperse to pelagic waters far from the island.The rarity and significance of this species is known to local residents of Gau and it is featured on a Fijian bank note. It is protected under Fijian law. In 1989, research on the ridge around possible nesting areas was terminated since it was felt that such activities, without complementary conservation action, could encourage cats to follow paths into the area…”

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