Translocation of Rarotonga Monarchs Pomarea dimidiata within the southern Cook Islands

Abstract

The translocation of species to a new site plays an important role in the conservation of many threatened birds; however, the problems and processes involved in planning and implementing such translocations are rarely reported. In order to establish a second secure ‘insurance’ population of the endangered Rarotonga Monarch Pomarea dimidiata, or Kakerori, 30 young birds were moved from the Takitumu Conservation Area on Rarotonga to the 2,700 ha island of Atiu between 2001 and 2003. The translocation of this single-island endemic was to a site outside the historical range of the species, because the small, but rapidly growing, population on Rarotonga was considered to be highly vulnerable to a catastrophe, such as a cyclone, or the arrival of a new bird disease or predator. The translocation followed consultation with local communities, an assessment of the suitability of islands in the southern Cook Islands, and an assessment of the disease risk posed by the translocation. The translocation appears to have been successful because Rarotonga Monarchs have bred well in a variety of forest habitats on Atiu.