The diversity of animal life in Fiji
From thrill-seekers wishing to swim with sharks to birdwatchers, there's something for everyone!
Fiji'smarine fauna is spectacular, with its 1,000 coral reefs and lagoons, estuaries and ocean depths providing a privileged playground for countless species of fish, as well as reef sharks, turtles, whales, dolphins, manta rays and barracudas. Fish to admire include clownfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish and moray eels.
Fiji is home to 75 species of stingray and shark, but only a few of these are regularly found off the coast. There are two ideal spots for shark-watching: the Beqa lagoon and the Mamanucas and Yasawas archipelagos. Beqa lagoon offers an unforgettable experience, where you can see up to 8 species of shark, including bullsharks! In the Yasawas Islands, up to 6 species of shark can be admired. For your information, sharks can also be seen in other parts of Fiji, such as the Somosomo Strait, but not exclusively.
Corals, though often regarded as plants, are very small animals (1 to 3 mm in diameter), polyps to be precise, but together they can form huge colonies. Their tentacles enable them to feed on plankton in particular.
Birdwatching will also be an essential part of your trip, but you'll sometimes have to be patient if you're lucky enough to see them, and you'll need to be brave too, as they're most often seen in the early hours of the morning! The Fiji lori is the national bird, a small parrot with a red, green and yellow body and a dark purple head. Theorange dove (from the pigeon family) can also be admired in Fiji. You can also hear the Giant Forest Honey Eater or see the original silktail on Taveuni Island.
Among the terrestrial fauna, the mongoose is very present, eliminating the risk of encountering snakes most of the time! This is the case on all the islands except Taveuni, where the mongoose has not been introduced, giving the island's snakes some respite. Fiji's terrestrial fauna is very often endemic and prey to the dangers of habitat destruction, urbanization and agriculture, and the presence of other animals/predators. Of particular note are the reintroduction programs for the Fiji crested iguana(Brachylophus vitiensis), a reptile found in the northwest of the archipelago. In the same family, connoisseurs can go in search of the Brachylophus bulabula, an endemic species of saurian in the Iguanidae family. Frogs often come out at night, so be careful where you step when you go to a restaurant or return to your hotel. Dogs can be found everywhere on the islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni, and their barking can sometimes disturb your sleep in the middle of the night. In principle, they are not aggressive and Fiji is not known as a rabies risk destination, but in the event of a bite we advise you to see a doctor.
A tropical climate that enhances the vegetation
Fiji's rainforests are home to some exceptional flora. The characteristic trees of tropical zones are present: the mangrove (whose roots are immersed in water), the Bread Fruit (about 10 meters high, with a green fruit weighing between 2 and 3 kg, much appreciated by Fijians), palms, coconut palms and pandanus. The flowers are not to be outdone, with a fine diversity of Medinilla-type flowers, some of which grow only on the Fiji Islands (and of which a new flower was recently discovered in Fiji), and rare flowers such as the Tagimaucia flower, an orchid found only on the island of Taveuni. To discover the Tagimaucia, you'll have to climb to the heights of Taveuni, near the lake of the same name. The flower only wants to grow here and not elsewhere, and all attempts to export it have failed. The main flowering season is between September and December. The Tagimaucia flower belongs to the orchid family and is also known for the legends surrounding it: the first tells the story of a princess who rebelled against a wedding organized by her mother and who, in her flight and tears, was the one who gave birth to this beautiful flower. The second legend tells us that the person who accompanies you to Lake Tagimaucia will be your true love.
A policy of preservation of animal and plant life
Fiji has adopted a responsible policy of preserving its animal and plant life, and is particularly protective of endangered species. There are seven species of sea turtle in the world, five of which are found in Fiji and all of which are threatened or endangered. Several resorts in the Mamanucas and Yasawas archipelagos have launched turtle preservation programs, ensuring, for example, that baby turtles are sheltered until they are strong enough to face the ocean.
Other resorts have taken on the protection of Fiji's crested iguanas(Brachylophus vitiensi), a species that was very close to extinction. Their predators are cats, mongooses and rats. Some resorts have implemented captive breeding programs before returning to the wild, helping to increase the crested iguana population.
Manta rays are also the subject of protection programs, with some Fijian resorts joining the " Manta Trust " organization and a project launched by Kokomo Private Island Resort to identify the animals in order to understand their numbers.
Fiji is also heavily involved in coral conservation. Climate change has been a major challenge in recent decades, and Fiji has launched several initiatives to mitigate its effects. Resorts have created programs to grow young corals in protected areas until they reach maturity, after which they are replanted in the wild. These programs are not always easy to implement, as Fijian corals do not react well to water that is too cold or too warm for their habits.
