Kula Eco Park
Encyclopedia
Kula Eco Park is an ecological preserve in Fiji
. It is located on Fiji's largest island, Viti Levu
, near Sigatoka
. The area was originally established as a bird park in the 1980s, but was bought by Kula Eco Park Management in January 1997. With an extensive system of walkways through the park, and a wide range of attractions, the park is now a popular tourist attraction
.
and fauna
, including reptile
s, bird life, amphibian
s, tropical fish
, the Fiji Flying Fox (Fiji's only native mammal), insects, butterflies and a wide range of trees and shrubs. The park has also won Fiji's 'Excellence in Tourism' award five times since 1996. In addition, the park strives to increase environmental issue awareness and educate local children in conservation. The park regularly offers free classes in which children may learn about Fiji's environment, pollution, and conservation. More than 8000 children have taken these classes. The park is funded only 35% from general admission tickets, the rest coming from private donations.
, the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales
, and the Zoo Friends of Taronga Zoo. As a result, the park established a captive breeding program for the critically endangered Fiji Crested Iguana
and Fiji Banded Iguana. Seven juveniles were successfully raised.
In 2004, the park achieved two milestones with the world's first captive birth of a Kadavu Musk Parrot
and the park's first birth of a Pacific Black Duck
.
In 2007, (in cooperation with the Biological Sciences Division at the University of the South Pacific
) the park commenced a captive breeding program for the endangered Fiji Ground Frog
.
, the Endangered Species Recovery Council of San Diego, and the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales
. Kula Eco Park is also a member of the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria
and an honorary associate of the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia.
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
. It is located on Fiji's largest island, Viti Levu
Viti Levu
Viti Levu is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji, the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.- Geography and economy :...
, near Sigatoka
Sigatoka
For the banana disease, see Black sigatoka.Sigatoka is a town in Fiji. It is found on the island of Viti Levu and is situated at the mouth of the Sigatoka River, after which it is named, some 69 kilometers from Nadi. In Fiji's last census the population of Sigatoka was at 9622...
. The area was originally established as a bird park in the 1980s, but was bought by Kula Eco Park Management in January 1997. With an extensive system of walkways through the park, and a wide range of attractions, the park is now a popular tourist attraction
Tourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities....
.
About the park
The park is privately owned and operated, its main focus being the preservation of Fiji's indigenous floraFlora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
and fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
, including reptile
Reptile
Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...
s, bird life, amphibian
Amphibian
Amphibians , are a class of vertebrate animals including animals such as toads, frogs, caecilians, and salamanders. They are characterized as non-amniote ectothermic tetrapods...
s, tropical fish
Tropical fish
Tropical fish include fish found in tropical environments around the world, including both freshwater and salt water species.Tropical fish are popular as aquarium fish, due to their often bright coloration...
, the Fiji Flying Fox (Fiji's only native mammal), insects, butterflies and a wide range of trees and shrubs. The park has also won Fiji's 'Excellence in Tourism' award five times since 1996. In addition, the park strives to increase environmental issue awareness and educate local children in conservation. The park regularly offers free classes in which children may learn about Fiji's environment, pollution, and conservation. More than 8000 children have taken these classes. The park is funded only 35% from general admission tickets, the rest coming from private donations.
History
In 1998, 140 species were catalogued in a joint project between Kula Eco Park, the National Trust of FijiNational Trust of Fiji
The National Trust of Fiji is a statutory organization in Fiji devoted to conservation of public resources. The trust was created in 1970 by the National Trust of Fiji Act.It administers parks and various historical sites...
, the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales
Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales
The Taronga Conservation Society is a Government of New South Wales agency responsible for Taronga Zoo and the Western Plains Zoo in New South Wales, Australia. The board is a part of the Australian Regional Association of Zoological Parks. It sponsors a number of research centers, such as the...
, and the Zoo Friends of Taronga Zoo. As a result, the park established a captive breeding program for the critically endangered Fiji Crested Iguana
Fiji Crested Iguana
The Fiji crested iguana is a critically endangered species of iguana native to some of the northwestern islands of the Fijiian archipelago, where it is found in dry forest.-Taxonomy and etymology:...
and Fiji Banded Iguana. Seven juveniles were successfully raised.
In 2004, the park achieved two milestones with the world's first captive birth of a Kadavu Musk Parrot
Crimson Shining-parrot
The Crimson Shining Parrot, Prosopeia splendens, is a parrot from Fiji. The species is endemic to the islands of Kadavu and Ono in the Kadavu Group. The species was once considered conspecific with the Red Shining Parrot of Vanua Levu and Taveuni, but is now considered its own species...
and the park's first birth of a Pacific Black Duck
Pacific Black Duck
The Pacific Black Duck is a dabbling duck found in much of Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and many islands in the southwestern Pacific, reaching to the Caroline Islands in the north and French Polynesia in the east. It is usually called the Grey Duck in New Zealand...
.
In 2007, (in cooperation with the Biological Sciences Division at the University of the South Pacific
University of the South Pacific
The University of the South Pacific is a public university with a number of locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. It is an international centre for teaching and research on Pacific culture and environment. USP's academic programmes are recognised worldwide, attracting students...
) the park commenced a captive breeding program for the endangered Fiji Ground Frog
Fiji Ground Frog
The Fiji Ground Frog or Fijian Ground Frog is a species of frog in the Ranidae family.It is endemic to Fiji....
.
Partners
Kula Eco Park works with a number of organizations to support Fiji and wildlife. They include the National Trust of FijiNational Trust of Fiji
The National Trust of Fiji is a statutory organization in Fiji devoted to conservation of public resources. The trust was created in 1970 by the National Trust of Fiji Act.It administers parks and various historical sites...
, the Endangered Species Recovery Council of San Diego, and the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales
Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales
The Taronga Conservation Society is a Government of New South Wales agency responsible for Taronga Zoo and the Western Plains Zoo in New South Wales, Australia. The board is a part of the Australian Regional Association of Zoological Parks. It sponsors a number of research centers, such as the...
. Kula Eco Park is also a member of the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria
ARAZPA
The Zoo and Aquarium Association, formerly known as the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria, was established in 1990 "to link zoos and aquariums in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in a cooperative regional network for wildlife conservation."-Wildlife...
and an honorary associate of the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia.