26 Oct 2026
ScienceConservationEnvironmental Success
Key takeaways
In 2025, teams began clearing invasive rats and feral pigs from Samoa's Nu'utele Island; by October 2026, sea turtles were nesting after decades of absence, ground-doves were breeding and native seedl
Conservation efforts on Samoa's Nu'utele Island have led to significant ecological recovery. Invasive rats and pigs were removed, allowing native vegetation to regrow and birds to nest. Sea turtles have also returned to nest after decades of absence, demonstrating the success of the restoration project.
- 1. Sea turtles are nesting on Nu'utele Island in Samoa again after being absent for decades.
- 2. Conservation teams successfully removed invasive rats and feral pigs from the island.
- 3. Within one month of removing the invasive predators, conservation scientists found several active ground-dove nests containing eggs inside bird's-nest ferns.