Details
Amount ($)
Hire of exhibition space
$500:00
Catering for 100 people
$1,500:00
Fuel
$80:00
Miscellaneous expense ( blu tack + kava + lunch)
$67:25
Total expenses
$2147.25
Table 2: Summary of the revenue received during and after Animal model exhibition launch.
Total Revenue expected
Quantity No. sold/
No. available
Expected Amount ($)
(a)Amount received
($)
Tickets sold @ $20 each
75/100
$2,000
$1,500:00
sponsor for animal models
18/20
$4,000
$4,444:20
Total amount on paintings
that have received biddings
(
only highest bidder for each
model recorded as of 8
th
June
2012)
7/20
$2000
$1400:00
Total amount received
$7,344:20
Excess of Income over Expenditure as of the 22nd June 2012: $5,196.95 FJD
DISCUSSIOn
130 people attended the Fiji Museum animal model exhibition organized by NatureFiji-
MareqetiViti, which included members, guests, sponsors and the general public and the press. Two
presentations were given highlighting the plight of Fiji’s threatened species especially the Kulawai.
The models created a great deal of interest and awareness of the threatened animal species and
this will be continued with the exhibition at the Museum remaining until the end of July at least.
Awareness was raised of the activities undertaken by NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, especially with the
Tomaniivi Nature Club (TNC) consisting of a group of youths from Nadala and nearby villages,
situated near Mt. Tomaniivi, the area where the last confirmed sighting of the Kulawai, Red-throated
Lorikeet was made.
This report reflects the revenue and expenses received from the 1st – 22nd June 2012. Masi
paintings are still available for auction which will end on the 29th of July. Two animal models are
available for sponsorship until the end of August 2012.
For details on the animal model sponsors see Appendix 3.
Building community support to search for the Red-throated Lorikeet in Fiji
69
REFEREnCES
Herman, K. J. 2011. Red-throated Lorikeet “Kulawai” Charmosyna amabilis Monasavu-Tomanivi, Viti
Levu. Report from January – March 2011 survey. Unpublished NatureFiji – MareqetiViti Report #
MV18: 2011/06, Suva.
IUCN list of threatened species, Version 2011.2, viewed 8th June 2012.
APPENDIx 1 ExHIBITION FLYER
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APPEnDIx 2: SPOnSORSHIP AGREEMEnT
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71
APPENDIx 3: ANIMAL MODEL SPONSOR DETAILS
Sponsor
Animal model sponsored
Amount sponsored ($)
Siwatibau & Sloan barristers
and solicitors
Rotuman myzomela
& Pink-billed parrotfinch
$400:00 FJD
Raintree lodge
Masked shinning parrot
$200:00 FJD
Austrop foundation
Pacific sheath-tail bat & Fijian flying fox
$500:00 AUS
Birdlife International Pacific
Secretariat
Red throated lorikeet; Collared petrel;
Bristled thighed curlew
$900:00 FJD
Natural Solutions Pacific
Silktal
$200: 00FJD
Wildlife Conservation Society
Baby vonu & Hawksbill turtle
$400:00 FJD
Multiple Intelligence School
Black tipped-reef shark
$200:00 FJD
Marita Brodie
Fijian burrowing snake
$300:00 FJD
National Trust of Fiji
Crested Iguana
$200:00 FJD
Gilianne Brodie
Giant Fiji long-horned beetle
$200:00 FJD
Environment Consultants Fiji Ltd
Fijian copper-headed skink
$300:00 FJD
Suliana Siwatibau
Fiji ground frog
$200:00 FJD
BSP bank
Giant Forest Honeyeater
$200:00 FJD
Kadavu fantail
Yet to be sponsored
Kadavu whistling dove
Yet to be sponsored
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APPENDIx 4: MASI PAINTINGS ‘SILENT AUCTION’ DETAILS
(as at June 22nd 2012)
Pacific
Sheath-tail bat [ID: PST_05]
Pink billed parrot-finch [ID: PBP_20]
Red-throated Lorikeet [ID: LRK_16]
$150:00
Mary
$181:00
Matt Capper
$333:33
J Sloan
Lorikeet [ID: LRK_08]
$333:33
J Sloan
Rotuman myzomela [ID: RMA_14]
$333:33
JSloan
Silkatil [ID: SL_02]
$100:00
Deidre Madden
Young turtles [ID: TRT_07]
shark [ID: SHK_12]
Fiji burrowing snake [ID: FBS_06]
Bristled thighed curlew [ID: BTC_15]
Collared petrel [ID: CLP_18]
Crested Iguana [ID: CI_01]
Fiji flying fox [ID: FFF_10]
Fiji Giant long horn beetle [ID: LHB_09]
Fijian copper headed skink [ID: CHS_13]
Fijian ground frog [ID: FGF_04]
Giant forest honeyeater [ID: GFH_03]
$101
Nick & Natalie Askew
Hawksbill turtle [ID: HBT_11]
Kadavu fantail [ID: KFT_17]
$100:00
Mary
Kadavu whistling dove [ID: wsd_19]
$100:00
Deidre Madden
Building community support to search for the Red-throated Lorikeet in Fiji COMPLETIOn REPORT
73
CEPF Small Grant Final Project Completion Report
Organization Legal Name
Fiji Nature Conservation Trust
Project Title
Building community support to search for the Red-throated Lorikeet in Fiji
Date of Report
31st July 2012
Report Author and Contact Information
Dick Watling
CEPF Region
Polynesia-Micronesia Hotspot
Strategic Direction
Strategic Direction 3. Build awareness and participation of local leaders and community members
in the implementation of protection and recovery plans for threatened species.
Grant Amount
$ 19,173
Project Dates
1 November 2010 – 30 June 2012
Building community support to search for the Red-throated Lorikeet in Fiji
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Implementation Partners for this Project
Please explain the level of involvement for each partner
Department of Environment – overview – receives copies of all reports prepared and updates and
NBSAP meetings;
Ba Provincial Authorities – overview – receives reports and updates for local district meetings;
Tomaniivi Nature Club – the Site Support Group for the Tomaniivi IBA/KBA – co-implementer of the
project;
BirdLife International Fiji Programme and Conservation International – provision of advice when
needed.
Conservation Impacts
Please explain/describe how your project has contributed to the implementation of the CEPF
ecosystem profile
The project has provided the longest series of searches for the Critically Endangered Red-throated
Lorikeet, ever undertaken. In recent times (since 1965) this small lorikeet has only been recorded
with certainty from the Tomaniivi IBA/KBA and adjacent forests and is one of the key species
contributing to the designation of the Tomaniivi IBA/KBA. As such the work done has been a
major contribution to our knowledge of the importance of the site, specifically for its role in the
conservation of the Red-throated Lorikeet.
That the project’s searches have failed to confirm the continued existence of the Red-throated
Lorikeet gives rise to the greatest concern. The last confirmed sighting of the Red-throated Lorikeet
was in 1993, although there have been several unconfirmed sightings since that time, the current
project’s work added to the several other unsuccessful searches for the Lorikeet in the past decade,
means that we now have to acknowledge that Red-throated Lorikeet may well have been extirpated
from Viti Levu. We have not done enough survey work on Taveuni where there remains significant
undisturbed forest to reach a similar conclusion from there.
Please summarize the overall results/impact of your project against the expected results detailed
in the approved proposal
1. A professional forest survey programme set up specifically for the Red-throated Lorikeet, and
implemented.
2. No confirmed or unconfirmed sighting of the Red-throated Lorikeet – we need to acknowledge
now that Red-throated Lorikeet is probably extirpated on Viti Levu;
3. Training for community members in bird observation and monitoring. Not very successful,
however, two members of the Tomaniivi Nature Club trained and competent in searching for
the Red-throated Lorikeet. One of whom, a lady became a proficient bird observer and very
interested. However, it was not possible to train a cadre of youth in bird observation such that
they could meaningfully regularly monitor transects and sites for the Red-throated Lorikeet.
This was because of a variety of factors including logistics (sites were not close enough to the
villages to be easily accessed at the right time of day); difficulties in teaching untrained birders to
Building community support to search for the Red-throated Lorikeet in Fiji COMPLETIOn REPORT
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accurately identify birds that they have no experience of; difficulties in maintaining interest in
the absence of the trainer and/or incentives.
4. The potential for an ecotourism initiative, specifically bird guiding at Tomaniivi centered around
one community member who did become a proficient bird observer and was keen to initiate a
bird guiding programme for tourists, was evaluated on site by an overseas specialist;
5. Activities that raised the awareness of the Tomaniivi Nature Club as well as community members
and local schools about the Red-throated Lorikeet. This included a visit and workshop by the
Kulawai – the National Women’s volleyball team as part of a National HIV Awareness Programme.
6. Very successful function held at the Fiji Museum in the name of the Red-throated Lorikeet where
models of Fiji’s endangered species made from recycled materials were exhibited and then
auctioned with good publicity. An exhibition on display at Fiji Museum for nearly three months.
7. A detailed Species Recovery Plan prepared.
Please provide the following information where relevant
Hectares Protected: N/A
Species Conserved: N/A
Corridors Created: N/A
Describe the success or challenges of the project toward achieving its short-term and long-term
impact objectives
The project has provided a highly significant contribution in respect of our knowledge of the
Red-throated Lorikeet – one of the IBA/KBAs most important species. Unfortunately, the result
was a negative one – there is no evidence of its continued existence, which in itself is still highly
significant, such that we need now to acknowledge that the Red-throated Lorikeet may well be
extinct.
The bulk of the survey work was undertaken by highly experienced bird observers, rather than
community members, as such there is little doubt about the overall outcome – no confirmed or
unconfirmed observations.
In retrospect, it was probably unrealistic to believe that one could train community youth to a level
where they could independently undertake surveys for species such as the Red-throated Lorikeet
which is both extremely rare (perceived situation at the beginning of the project) as well as being
extremely difficult to detect (retiring, crepuscular nature of the bird). Nonetheless the awareness
raised during the project was excellent and there is at least one lady with the ability, interest and
energy to undertake bird guiding for tourists.
The project was able to leverage a visit and report by two experienced overseas persons on the
ecotourism potential of the area and the Tomaniivi Nature Club.
A very successful function was held at the Fiji Museum in the name of the Red-throated Lorikeet
where models of Fiji’s endangered species made from recycled materials were exhibited and then
auctioned with good publicity. An exhibition on the Red-throated Lorikeet and other endangered
species was on display at Fiji Museum for nearly three months.
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Were there any unexpected impacts (positive or negative)?
It was unexpected and very concerning that we would not observe the Red-throated Lorikeet
during the project.
The following reports were prepared during the project:
Herman, K. J. 2011. Red-throated Lorikeet “Kulawai” Charmosyna amabilis Monasavu-Tomanivi, Viti
Levu. Report from January – March 2011 survey. Unpublished NatureFiji – MareqetiViti Report #
MV18: 2011/06, Suva.
Macedru, K. 2012. Promoting Awareness of the Kulawai, Red-throated Lorikeet Charmosyna
amabilis. An Exhibition of Models and Masi Paintings of Endangered Fijian Fauna at the Fiji Museum
and their Auction for the Project. Unpublished NatureFiji – MareqetiViti Report # MV18: 2012/11,
Suva.
Masibalavu, V. 2011. Reports of surveys of the Red-throated Lorikeet, Kulawai Charmosyna amabilis
with the Tomaniivi Nature Club, Nadala, Ba, Vti Levu. Unpublished NatureFiji – MareqetiViti Report #
MV18: 2011/12, Suva.
Steven, Rochelle 2012. An investigative study into whether the Nadala/Vatumoli area could
support nature-based tourism; and, a survey for the Critically Endangered Red-throated Lorikeet
(Charmosyna amabilis). Unpublished report prepared for NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, Griffith School
of Environment and International Centre for Ecotourism Research, Griffith University, Queensland,
Australia
Watling, Dick 2011. Report on the Birds with Particular Reference to Threatened Species of the
Wainavadu-Waisoi Catchments, Namosi, Viti Levu, Fiji. Unpublished NatureFiji-MareqetiViti Report #
MV18: 2011/11, Suva
Watling, Dick 2012. Kulawai Red-throated Lorikeet Charmosyna amabilis Species Recovery Plan
2013-2017. Unpublished NatureFiji-MareqetiViti Report # MV18: 2012/20, Suva
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Lessons Learned
Describe any lessons learned during the design and implementation of the project, as well as any
related to organizational development and capacity building. Consider lessons that would inform
projects designed or implemented by your organization or others, as well as lessons that might be
considered by the global conservation community.
The primary objective of the project – to provide up to date information on the Red-throated
Lorikeet was realized, although in the end the bulk of the work was undertaken by highly
experienced bird observers rather than trained community members.
In retrospect, it was probably unrealistic to believe that with the resources the project could offer,
one could train community youth to a level where they could independently undertake surveys for
species such as the Red-throated Lorikeet which is both extremely rare (perceived situation at the
beginning of the project) as well as being extremely difficult to detect (retiring, crepuscular nature
of the bird).
Project Design Process: (aspects of the project design that contributed to its success/
shortcomings)
Centering the project on the Tomaniivi Nature Club Site Support Group enabled the small grant
resources to be applied immediately to activities with known individuals/communities. This
dispensed with the necessary preliminaries of entry into and getting to know a new community(s)
and their environment. Despite this we underestimated the logistical requirements (time and cost)
of getting community members into the right location to undertake meaningful surveys for the
Red-throated Lorikeet.
On the other-hand the project was flexible enough to switch the survey component to surveys
being done by highly experienced bird observers, such that they were professionally implemented.
Project Implementation: (aspects of the project execution that contributed to its success/
shortcomings)
The project was flexible enough to switch the survey component to surveys originally planned
for community members, being done by highly experienced bird observers, such that they were
professionally implemented. This was especially important in that the initial surveys with the
community members did not reveal any Red-throated Lorikeets indicating that a broader survey
effort was required.
Overall the number and location of surveys combined with the experience of the observers
provided a high level of confidence in the ‘negative’ result.
Other lessons learned relevant to conservation community:
Although an attractive idea to both the community and the umbrella organisation, expecting
untrained community members to become trained to make useful scientific observations of an
extremely rare and difficult to detect bird, was probably unrealistic. This might be considered
specific to the situation at Tomaniivi, the nature of the bird and the resources available from a small
grant, but it also likely to be true in many similar situations when the competence of communities
to be trained to undertake scientific observations is overestimated.
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Additional Funding
Provide details of any additional donors who supported this project and any funding secured for
the project as a result of the CEPF grant or success of the project.
Donor
Type of funding
*
Amount
Notes
Dr Kerryn Herman
A
$18,000
Six weeks as volunteer
community trainer and
expert search coordinator
Environment Consultants Fiji
A
$9,500
15 Red-throated Lorikeet
search days by Dick Watling
with associated costs
Clare Morrison, Rochelle Steven,
Griffith University
A
$7,000
One week survey work and
evaluation of ecotourism
potential report
Anne O’Brien of Anniemals
B
$3,000
20 models of endangered
Fijian animals made from
recycled materials and
15 paintings auctioned
for Red-throated Lorikeet
project
*
Additional funding should be reported using the following categories:
A Project co-financing (Other donors contribute to the direct costs of this CEPF project)
B Grantee and Partner leveraging (Other donors contribute to your organization or a partner organization as
a direct result of successes with this CEPF project.)
C Regional/Portfolio leveraging (Other donors make large investments in a region because of CEPF investment
or successes related to this project.)
Sustainability/Replicability
Summarize the success or challenge in achieving planned sustainability or replicability of project
components or results.
Further work on the Red-throated Lorikeet will not seek to replicate the community involvement
envisaged by this project. It will rely entirely on expert input until such time as a site is located
where the species can be regularly observed.
NatureFiji-MareqetiViti intends to follow up on the ecotourism-bird guiding potential with the
community members trained during the project.
Summarize any unplanned sustainability or replicability achieved.
None
Building community support to search for the Red-throated Lorikeet in Fiji COMPLETIOn REPORT
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Safeguard Policy Assessment
Provide a summary of the implementation of any required action toward the environmental and
social safeguard policies within the project.
None required
Information Sharing and CEPF Policy
CEPF is committed to transparent operations and to helping civil society groups share experiences,
lessons learned, and results. Final project completion reports are made available on our website,
www.
cepf.net
, and publicized in our newsletter and other communications.
Full contact details:
Name: Dick Watling
Organization name: NatureFiji-MareqetiViti
Mailing address: Box 2041, Government Buildings, Suva , Fiji
Tel: +679 3100598
E-mail:
watling@naturefiji.org
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TECHNICAL SERIES
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