International Biodiversity Day celebrated annually on 22 May went by quietly but for Samoa Conservation Society, there is a beautiful shorebird that is worth knowing.

The tuli, while commonly seen in Samoa, is not well known and not a lot of people know of the bird’s origins.

S.C.S. President James Atherton said the tuli are birds that migrate and do a 20,000 km round trip every year to the Pacific from their breeding grounds in Alaska, north west Canada and Siberia along with their mates the 'wondering tattler' (also called tuli).

"They will return in September and you normally see them along the shorelines and for the golden plover at least, on grassy fields like sports fields," he said.

"The Fijians have an expression for rare things which basically says something is ‘as rare as the eggs of the golden plover' because the tuli don't lay their eggs in the islands, only in the Arctic. 

“They are probably our longest distance tourists and have not been stopped by COVID-19...we should respect them.”

Mr Atherton then made reference to the more familiar tuli, the Golden Plover which he says has been monitored and tracked by scientists in New Zealand.

"We know more about the golden plover as they have been GPS-tracked by New Zealand scientists for a few years now," he said.

"Although not endemic – Pacific Golden Plovers (tuli) over winter in Samoa (and other Pacific islands) from September to April. 

“The genus name Pluvia is Latin and means 'relating to rain' as it was believed that Golden Plovers flocked when rain was imminent.

"Golden plovers breed in Northern Alaska and Siberia 9,000km to the north of Samoa and return every year to the same islands to feed. 

“The annual visitors to Samoa return to Alaska via Japan which is an annual trip of 18,000- 24,000 km.” 

The birds’ use of Samoa and other Pacific islands of the Pacific as part of their migratory route is fascinating, which compelled the S.C.S. to make reference to the country’s geological timeline going back to Samoa’s origins.

"Samoa emerged from the Pacific ocean around 5 million years ago. In the millions of years since thousands of species of animals and plants either flew here, swam here, were blown here, washed up or hitch-hiked here on rafts or on the feathers or in the stomachs of flying animals (i.e. seeds),” a S.C.S. report reads.

As a biodiversity hotspot, Samoa became home for species that survived the journey and were able to breed and evolve into new life forms, which can only be found in Samoa.

"These we call endemic species and they make up around 1/3 of all our native animals and plants (excluding the species we have brought in either on purpose or accidentally- we call such species introduced species) telling us that they have been here a very long time!”

Humans also played a role when they migrated to Samoa around 3,000 years ago and according to the S.C.S. developed Samoa’s rich culture, language, music, handicrafts, legends and the traditions and habits that are identified as Samoan and are unique, loved, respected and treasured globally. 

“We as Samoans have every right to be proud of who we are, our story as Polynesian navigators and what we have achieved since colonising these islands.”

Emphasising the importance of both humans and biodiversity living in peaceful coexistence, the S.C.S. says human migration has also led to a number of threatened species.

"In 2018 Samoa had 93 species classified as threatened (at a high risk of extinction) on the IUCN Red List including 29 species of vertebrates (6 bird species, 16 fishes, 5 reptiles and 2 mammals), 62 invertebrates (including 52 coral species), and 2 flowering plant species.

“In 2020 this figure had increased to 118 threatened species with 10 new fish, 9 new birds, 3 inverts, 2 reptiles and 1 plant." 

"These are conservative figures as they are based on the species we have relatively good information on, the true figure of threatened species is certainly much higher." 

And then there is the tragedy of biodiversity that was recorded in the annals of human society but to this day have become extinct. 

"We also know of many species that are now extinct, some within our lifetimes such as the Pepe ae (swallowtail butterfly) and Tagiti (sheath tailed bat). 

“Luckily these two are also found on neighbouring islands so could be reintroduced, but there are many more species that we've lost forever, like the Punae (Samoan woodhen) and many other birds."