Nomuka is a small tropical Island that belongs to the Ha’apai group. It’s extremely remote, requiring two flights, a ferry and a small dinghy to arrive on its sandy shores from Australia. There are about 75 houses on the island, home to around 400 people and a lot of pigs, cats, chickens, horses and ducks, as well as over 200 dogs! There are also some local animals, like flying foxes and skinks, but the water is where it gets really special, with visiting humpback whales and whale sharks plus resident manta rays, leopard sharks and beautiful coral reefs. The large amount of dogs on the islands also means there are high numbers of puppies. I know what you’re thinking, how can too many puppies ever be a problem? But a low-income economy, combined with a different view of animal welfare, means that many of the dogs face health problems, a lack of food and also potential harm for the human population as packs of dogs (often hungry and/or wounded) are roaming the streets.
By Alice Forrest
In 2017, wildlife vet Angel Grimaldi and his partner Marine Biologist Alice Forrest went to the island to meet a local family, Dave & Tris Sheen, who have adopted as many of the dogs as they can and now are looking for more long term solutions. The Sheen family live in the beach barn – an off-grid resort where they run their whale swim business Whale Discoveries as well as provide a home to a range of chickens and dogs. They’ve hosted vets in the past, and provided a waste collection service for the town, plus helped to create a local society to protect the people and environment of their island (Nomuka Island Conservation Environment Society, or NICE).
In October 2017, a team spent several days walking the dusty streets of the town and asking the residents about their animals, trying to get an idea of the numbers, major health issues, and interest in sterilization. Overall about 75% of the population was surveyed (57 families) and general health exams were performed on all animals where possible. Almost all the dogs and most of the pigs were treated for internal and external parasites using medical supplies donated from Australian vets and universities. Overall, parasite treatment was given to 150 dogs and at least 300 pigs. The biggest outcome of the survey was that a sterilization program was needed to reduce the canine overpopulation, which would solve some of the issues of malnourishment and parasites and improve health conditions in the long-term. 99.3% of the islanders want their pets sterilized, and in a place like this where there are no paved roads, supermarkets or restaurants, outside help is needed.
A team of vets is planning to return in May this year to perform sterilizations, plus more general treatments, and ideally to build a model that can be used on other small islands. This will also include workshops, training locals, speaking at schools, and putting together a long-term action plan that can be rolled out on other islands both in Tonga and the larger South Pacific. Volunteers at their own expense so far have provided all the supplies, time, flights and other logistics. To make the neutering program a success donations are needed (of medical supplies and funds).
Keep updated on the project or show your support at:
https://www.facebook.com/PacificHopeProject/
Alice Forrest is a conservationist & marine biologist based in the hills of Byron Bay on Australia’s east coast. Alice’s passion for the natural world and the creatures who inhabit it has led to a range of incredible adventures, from studying blue whales in the Indian Ocean to seabirds and plastic on remote Henderson Island.
She is happiest when interacting with wildlife, and passionate about protecting what she loves. Alongside degrees in Conservation and Marine Biology, Alice is a PADI Divemaster and SSI Freediver (powered by plants) and has worked extensively in the marine tourism industry sharing her love of the ocean with others, winning several conservation awards for her work. Alice has spent much of the last few years in Tonga, enjoying time with the humpback whales alongside working on projects researching the impacts of plastic on our oceans, and helping communities to implement local solutions.
Through her lifestyle, writing and public outreach she hopes to inspire a greater appreciation for the planet and its last wild places. She is currently running a street dog project in Tonga as well as writing for various print and online publications, communicating the science and the solutions to help protect our ocean.
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