Kiritimati Wildlife
We take you now to Kiritimati Island where we host this Wildlife Unit!! Welcome again!!
About this Unit
The Wildlife Conservation Unit (WCU) is one of the 8 units with the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD) and responsible for the safeguarding of all the occurring bird species that harbors on Kiritimati and other islands in the Line and Phoenix Group. These species are only those which have been given full protection under the Kiribati Wildlife Ordinance, Cap 100. The other animal which is also protected under this said Law is the Green turtle.
Detail Activities since its establishment in 1976
The major activities of the Unit are as follows:
- conducting a survey of bird colonies for each species either during breeding seasons and non-breeding seasons including turtles
- mapping and monitoring the nesting colonies for birds and turtles
- set up boundaries and maintenance where required
- patrolling/policing in the wilderness both Closed Areas (CAs) and Wildlife Sanctuaries (WS)
- monitoring of birds status and nesting turtles
- trapping/hunting and eradicating invasive alien species e.g. feral cats, rats and feral dogs (especially female)
- maintaining and erecting signs of the “no entry” into the closed areas or at nesting sites where crossing is not allowed (seasonal closed roads)
- issuing licenses for entry permit to the CAs, Bird watching, Environment License (EL), and Building Permit (BP)
- escorting locals and tourists for bird watching and guiding them around the island
- visiting other remote islands in the Line and Phoenix group for bird monitoring and updating status
- monitoring the “kakai” activities (even these local people camping out as illegal squatters)
- public awareness through school visits, having normal class with JSS, EYC program and community visits
- Executing clean ups, replanting and beautification of public areas with EYC members with support from various Linnix and other Ministries including KUC, Government’s companies and local or private businesses.
- Creating Parks at Public areas
- Enforcing Environment Act (as amended in 2007)
These activities were currently operated by Wildlife Section officers based in Kiritimati Island. For details of Staff and titles, please visit the Staff page.
For inquiry on activities related with these responsibilities, please contact the following:
Turang Favae – turangf@environment.gov.ki
Ratita Bebe – taibwa@gmail.com
Call office at +686 28000, +686 28425