Vol 3 Land Resource Inventory Report - Department of Environment ...

game. The conservation status for Makodraga looks promising as it comes under the
ownership of the government.
The purpose of this survey is to determine if the Island of Makodraga has the potential to
be a translocation site for the Yadua Taba Crested Iguana population. The Yadua Taba
Island Crested Iguana population has been restored to viable numbers over the last 30
years. Despite the re-establishment of this yet increasing population, the risk of losing
the species to extinction remains high, this becomes more critical with the recent findings
of genetic variation between islands. While most of these other islands are inhabited
and/or currently used for recreational purposes by landowners, Yadua Taba Island
remains the only safe haven for the species. The current total population, though
substantial, is still vulnerable being concentrated on only one island. Therefore, the need
for translocation of the Yadua Taba island Crested Iguana population to a conservation
site is critical, but in avoidance of cross-breeding with other populations and more so
with other iguana species.
The survey team comprised the following personnel - Marika Tuiwawa (South Pacific
Regional Herbarium, USP), Isaac Rounds (Conservation International), Jone Niukula
(National Trust Fiji), Saras Sharma (Fiji Department Fisheries) & Nunia Thomas
(NatureFiji/Mareqeti/Viti).
3.12.2 METHODS
Opportunistic fauna and floral surveys were conducted from Saturday 31 st October to
Sunday 1 st November 2008 on the island of Makodraga next to Makogai Island. The
surveys were conducted by walking through and across the island (in the forest), along
the coastal forest; and around the island by boat.
In addition a brief summary on the result of a Crested Iguana survey by Peter Harlow and
Rob Fischer in February 2010 will be highlighted in the Herpetofauna section.
3.12.3 RESULTS
Herpetofauna
Opportunistic diurnal herpetofauna surveys were conducted from 11am to 3pm on two
days (31/10/09 and 01/11/09). The presence of known plants of importance to the diet of
Fiji‘s native iguanas was noted; and their locations recorded. Geographical Positioning
Systems (GPS) data of potential iguana breeding sites were recorded using a Thales
Mobile Mapper TM . One targeted nocturnal survey for iguanas was conducted from 6pm
to 8pm on the second day (01/11/2009) within the agreed ideal iguana habitat on the
island (Figure 1).
Four native and one introduced species of herpetofauna were encountered over the two
days of survey: Emoia cyanura, E. impar, Cryptoblepharus eximus, Candoia bibroni and
Lepidodactylus lugubris. Two of the native species are endemic to Fiji. No herpetofauna
was found during the nocturnal survey (Table 1).
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