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Technical report

The second pig’s eradication was a follow up activity of the first eradication as it was reported that there are still more pigs on the island that needs to be cleared off. It is a concern to remove pigs from the island because of the high risk that lies ahead on human health from the toxic bait that will kill the rats during the rat eradication operation when pigs consume this toxic bait. Assessment and advices was given that this toxic bait will affect the pigs when consuming it also people will intake the impact when they eat these affected pigs as some pigs won’t die from up taking a small amount of bait but has a potential to live and in that case they will be carrier of this toxic bait. Pigs are also on the other hand destructors of the natural biodiversity on the island particularly the plants and the landscape of the island. It is also suspected to be the worst predator of turtle eggs which also contribute to the loss of this species as this island is one of the nesting ground for turtles. This second activity was carried out on the 11th to 15th April with the assistance from the Water sector staff and a local hunter that was hired which makes this task successful.

Nuutele Island hosts a diverse range of plant species, significant populations of land and seabirds, fruit bats, coconut crabs and turtles. It is a small island with a total land mass of about 108ha and located south east of Upolu Island at 1.8km off the Aleipata coast. It is an important offshore island on this part of Samoa because not only does it hold a diversity of species but one of the first islands to include or part of a Marine Protected Area. As a protected area it should be free of invasive species and destructive human activities and making sure that the island’s uniqueness still remains