Search underway for Fiji Petrel

We can’t help conserve and protect this Critically Endangered little bird if we don’t know more about its elusive comings and going in the waters off its home, the island of Gau in Fiji. We’ve all come together with the Fiji Ministry of the Environment and iTaukei to search for these birds at sea.

Gau Island © Kyle McBurine/National Geographic Pristine Seas

If we find one and it’s possible, a location tracker will be put onto one of the birds to determine where they nest on land. Finding the elusive birds’ nesting locations will enable measures to be taken to protect them, which can help them to breed safely and recover their tiny population.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to solve one of the greatest mysteries in seabird conservation: finding the nest of the Fiji Petrel, a bird that has remained hidden for over a century and holds deep cultural significance, appearing on Fiji’s $20 note and in traditional lullabies,” said Lindsay Young, Vice President of Research at Pristine Seas and leader of the expedition to track Fiji Petrels. “Teetering on the edge of extinction, this magnificent species embodies both scientific hope and the pride of the people of Gau, who have cherished it for generations. We’re hopeful that the insights from this journey will help drive efforts to safeguard one of Fiji’s most important birds.”

BirdLife’s Pacific Marine Coordinator, Stephanie Borelle, echoes National Geographic: “The Kacau ni Gau or Fiji Petrel embodies nature’s resilience — enduring threats from predators, habitat loss, and more. It stands as a beacon of hope, as the custodians of its believed breeding grounds reconnect with the bird, reviving the stories once carried through lullabies. As the people of Gau, NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, and BirdLife come together to protect the Fiji Petrel, they are not only restoring a vital connection with their heritage, but also strengthening the resilience of the island’s land, sea, and life itself.”