A rat control training programme has been completed with Samoa Conservation Society and its partners hopeful it will help protect local birds from four invasive rodent species.

Sefuiva Moeumu Uili of the S.C.S. told the Samoa Observer that the 9–10 June training programme at Falease'ela was a success.

She said the training was designed to provide more productive and interactive sessions to allow participants to discuss and understand the concept and significance of implementing and managing such projects in the community.

A total of 10 locals were identified by the Falease'ela Environment Protection Society for the specialist training according to Ms Uili.

Out of the 10 trainees eight were males and two were females, though Ms Uili said they had previously trained people, who must have gone for the seasonal work schemes.

“All of our previously trained team members have travelled on seasonal work schemes and more members are coming along to support their project and getting the training they need as well as the experience," she said.

She then made reference to the challenges of the rat control project, in terms of commitment by the participants, while emphasising the need to be passionate about such a project for everyone's benefit.

"I would say, having to work on this kind of conservation project for about five years now is a blessing in disguise. 

“On the other hand, helping our communities has been a real blessing, no matter how difficult and challenging it gets for me, because I believe I'm doing something good for our people and our families, and we should continue to do that for everyone’s benefit and so as the environment.”

Ms Uili said Falease'ela is the first community project on rat management that they’ve been working on, in addition to the Malololelei pest management project that was implemented together with Bluebird Lumber and Hardware Company and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

“I am grateful to Falease'ela Environment Protection Society for this initiative and as a staff member of S.C.S. I believe this is our purpose served for our communities in need," she said.

According to Ms Uili, there are four rodent or rat species found in Samoa, namely the Norway rat, the Polynesian or Pacific rat, the Ship rat and the house mice. 

She revealed that all rodent species are unintentionally introduced into the country from cargo and missionary ships and are thought to have arrived in the 18th Century. 

“No date is recorded for exactly when they arrived on our shores. The Polynesian rat or Pacific rat is widespread throughout the Pacific but thought to be native to Southeast Asia and this guy is a skilled climber. 

“This species can reach bird nests up on the trees as high as over 20m. 

“The Norway rat however is known as a good swimmer and can swim to more than a kilometre of water. 

“If assisted by a floating matter in the ocean like a log, this rat can reach the Aleipata offshore islands and survive there. 

“The ship rat, smaller than the two former, is more found in our houses – this rat crawls in holes and on the ceiling of houses so as the house mice.”

As to the future of the rat control training programme, Ms Uili said they will continue to support the Malololelei and now the Falease'ela project sites. 

“Many have said this is a waste of time and resources because rats will continue to invade these forests," she said. "Yes, this is only a control program for rats and there will always be infestation from the new population. 

“However, the idea is to control and manage their population in the protected forest so that they don’t form aggressive populations that are detrimental to the remaining population of threatened and endangered bird species such as the Manumea and Ma’oma’o birds.

"The D.O.C grant will provide support to the two sites in terms of providing training for the team and procurement of tools needed to implement the project from 2022 to 2023. 

“S.C.S. is committed to source funds from interested partners to sustain these project sites and monitor the impacts towards a recovery program for saving endangered species.”

The S.C.S staff member acknowledged the Falease'ela Environment Protection Society, the Department of Conservation New Zealand, the Auckland Zoo, PelGar International and BIOPAMA and Birdlife International for their support.

The project is funded by N.Z M.F.A.T through the Department of Conservation working in partnership with the Samoa Conservation Society.

Ms Uili said through this one year funding they will aim to provide support to Falease'ela Environment Protection Society to maintain the rat control program that was started in 2019 with the support of Auckland Zoo and partners including S.C.S and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.