FILM PHOTOGRAPHY
FILM PHOTOGRAPHY
FILM PHOTOGRAPHY
FILM PHOTOGRAPHY
Clara Davina
Bats & beaches - Samoan island life
Samoa lies in the polynesian pacific, on the south Hemisphere, halfway between Hawai and New zealand. There is the independant State of Samoa, also called Western Samoa, and there is the Samoan United States territory, also called American Samoa.
I was in Western samoa or Malo Saʻoloto Tutoʻatasi o Sāmoa in Samoan. It consists of two main islands - Savai'i and Upolu - and eight tiny unihabited islets. The country was occupied by the German Empire, and by the British and New Zealand colonial administration before becoming independant in 1962.
It was my Mother's dream to visit this mystical place.
The fact that we got the chance to realize it still makes me extremly happy.
Standing there, alone, on this perfect white sand, watching the turquoise waves crashing and hearing the sound of the wind in the palmtrees is probably one of the most peaceful experiences that i'll ever have.
There are 536 species of flowering plants, 228 species of fern & over 100 species of native orchids (Whister 1992).
Many of the plant & animal species are endemic (exist only here).
My attention was particulary drawn to a species that also only exists over here : the Samoan flying fox (Pteropus samoensis).
It is a CITES-listed species which is endangered by hunting and habitat loss.
We had the amazing opportunity of watching their sleeping tree, from our home in the forest.
They have a little fox shaped face, and a total wingspan of ~85cm.
They mainly eat fruits and flowers & act as polinators for a few endemic species.
They are also believed to chose a partner for life.
These creatures are tightly linked to the Samoan culture.
One legend from the island of Savai'i is about Nafanua, goddess of war, who was rescued by flying foxes when stranded on an inhospitable island
Luckily their presence in national parcs tremendously helps their protection.
It is another great example of the importance of protected ares for our biodiversity.
There is so much to protect on and around these islands. Birds, plants, coral reefs, culture..
Climate change & Sea level rise directly threatens their existence. Trying to decrease the impact of climate change is crucial to conserve islands like Samoa.
