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

Introduction
Makodraga is an uninhabited island 1.4km off the main island of Makogai, sitting on
the NW border of the Lomaiviti Province. It has an area of about 82ha with an intact
tropical forest vegetation cover. The highest point is some 120m above sea level, is
volcanic with steep slopes and has potential to be a translocation site for the Fijian
Crested Iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) from Yadua Taba Island in Bua Province,
Vanua Levu.
Makodraga Island, Lomaiviti Province, Fiji.
The IUCN Red listed endangered Fijian Crested Iguana is endemic to tropical dry
forests found on smaller islands of Fiji. Yadua Taba Island has good tropical dry
forest along with the largest (and only secure) population of B. vitiensis in Fiji and has
been proposed as a translocation source for iguana conservation. Declining
populations have been recorded from other islands in the Yasawa Group, Mamanuca
Group and Macuata Island off the north and north-west coast of Viti Levu.
The aim of this rapid biodiversity assessment survey of Makodraga Island was to find
out if it is appropriate as a translocation site for crested iguanas. Opportunistic fauna
and floral surveys were conducted on Saturday 31 st October and Sunday 1 st November
2009 on the island of Makodraga.
Background
Makodraga and Makogai Islands were purchased by the Fiji Government in 1908 to
accommodate a leper colony that was then operational from 1911 to 1969. During the
Leprosy era, a small bay on the island of Makodraga was utilized as an Observatory
point and was later used as a picnic spot for the Lepers. The southern end of the bay
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