Disese Rasavi from Nukuloa village, Gau is the Fiji Petrel project’s first female telemetry operator.
Camping up on the hills of Gau on the Fiji Petrel project has until now been a male preserve. However this has changed with the recruitment of Disese Rasavi who is now part of the team tracking signals from radio transmitters that have been attached to six Collared petrels.
Early in the month of July, Disese accompanied the Fiji Petrel research team to Waitabua Hill for 3 nights of radio telemetry tracking and spotlighting.
Though no radio signals were received during the 3 nights on Waitabua Hill, a second telemetry camp at Lovu village, recorded signals from one of the Collared Petrels on two consecutive nights.
The research also involved spotlighting whereby Collared petrel contacts were recorded throughout the 3 nights of research at Waitabua Hill.
The Fiji Petrel project is using the Collared petrel as a surrogate research species to develop techniques and train local teams so that all will be ready when a Fiji Petrel is encountered. As Collared petrels are more abundant in comparison to the Fiji Petrel, research on collared petrel behavior is documented in hopes gathering data that would provide insight into the overall behavior of petrels.
The Collared Petrel Telemetry research is important in providing training and practical experience in transmitter attachment and then subsequent recording of visits to the island.
The timing and frequency of these visits is important and the telemetry can assist in locating the nesting burrows.
Mark Fraser has been training enthusiastic volunteers from Gau on the research involving Radio Telemetry tracking, as well as the proper handling and use its materials.
NFMV is grateful for the support of the people from Gau island in the different aspects of research pertaining to the Fiji Petrel project and we hope to continue this relationship throughout the years. Vinaka vakalevu!