Page 11 - IB MAY 2017

Environment

Aliens

invade

the bay

An American iguana that was caugfht in Natewa Bay. Photo: Supplied
THERE has been another sighting and capture of a
giant invasive iguana (GII), also known as American
iguana, in Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second biggest island.
Last week villagers living near Viani Village, on the
south coast of Natewa Bay, caught a male GII, a reptile
that could grow to two metres long.
Nearby resident Jay Browning said while the male
GII was killed, it was unfortunate that a female was
also spotted but it escaped into the forest.
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) had declared
American iguanas as pests and they are working
closely with villagers to find others believed to be in
the forest.
According to BAF the pests were brought illegally A focus on quality.
into the country some 10-plus years ago and released
on Qamea Island. They have since spread to neighbour-
ing Laucala, Taveuni and Matagi islands and now to
their nearest main island, Vanua Levu.
American iguanas breed rapidly and a female can Our quality commitment runs very deep.
lay 50 to 80 eggs. As herbivores they pose immediate We mentor our people and we monitor our
threats to food security, eating plants such as dalo procedures, and the result is a host of awards that
leaves and cassava tops, bele, tomatoes, cabbage,
beans and yam vines. testify to the very high standards we attain – with
The last sighting on Vanua Levu was in 2014, when equipment positioning; on-time arrivals;
Tawake villagers on the west coast of Natewa Bay, documentation speed and accuracy; workplace
found and killed one on their shores.
The scenic Natewa Bay is the biggest bay in the safety; environmental responsibility, and more.
South Pacific. Quality – we get it. And that means you will, too.
n Invictus News and Features Service

Kava ‘good’ for mental health For more, please contact Williams & Gosling Ltd

A TONGAN academic is urging more people to consider kava ■ Suva: (679) 331 2633 / info@wg ji.com.fj
drinking as a valid means to fight mental illness and stress. ■ Lautoka: (679) 666 4090 / helpwest@wg ji.com.fj
Massey University lecturer, Sione Vaka researched how kava
use had a positive impact among people with mental health
issues, based on his previous doctorate research that focused
on Tongan men. He said while kava drinking was common in
many social and formal Pacific cultures and traditions, the crop
contains relaxant properties and the setting provides a forum
for people to reconnect with others around the kava circle and www.hamburgsud-line.com
share their views on life.
n Invictus News and Features Service

Islands Business,May 2017 11