A $50 million dollar programme to rid the Pacific of invasive species that are destroying people's livelihoods is paying dividends. Feral cats, rats and the taro vine are having a devasting impact but, with a $20 million contribution from New Zealand, communities across the region are working together with startling results.
In Tonga, 13 paid ambassadors are in charge of controlling the rat population to protect an endangered bird the Tongan whistler or hengahenga. It's having a startling result with the rare bird being filmed for the first time by the Vava'u Environmental Protection Association. Karen Stone who works with the association says the use of community ambassadors has been critical in the grassroots driven programme.
Original Article: Pacific Island in battle to bring rare bird from brink of extinction
