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Washington, D.C.September 9, 2025
Featured photograph by Hamza Kiyani, National Geographic Pristine Seas
By Lindsay Young, Vice President of Research for Pristine Seas
GAU ISLAND, Fiji, August 2025
Our team at National Geographic Pristine Seas recently returned from a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to help solve one of the greatest mysteries in Pacific seabird conservation: finding the nest of the Fiji petrel, a bird that has remained hidden to scientists for over a century.
Together with partners from BirdLife International, NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, the Fiji Ministry of the Environment and iTaukei affairs, our team spent two weeks aboard a research vessel using a multi-sensory approach to appeal to the Fiji petrels’ sense of sight, sound, and smell.
As one of the rarest seabirds in the world — if they are still alive, their population is estimated at fewer than 50 — our goal was to find and satellite tag a Fiji petrel off the waters of Gau Island to help locate their nesting grounds on land. Finding the birds’ nesting site would buttress protection efforts, which can help the birds to breed safely and recover their population.
Our marine expedition combined scientific discovery with cultural significance. The communities we spoke with in Fiji shared that the petrel holds a special place in their heritage. It is featured in traditional lullabies and is even pictured on Fiji’s $20 note. Uncovering the Fiji petrels’ nesting site would allow us the chance to prevent the extinction of a species and help reconnect communities with a beloved bird.
During the day, we deployed a mix of fish oil and chopped fish to create a scent trail that can attract the birds to our boat. At night, we shined bright lights into the sky to mimic the moon (a technique called spotlighting), which these nocturnal seabirds are believed to follow from their mountain colonies to the sea. Simultaneously, we played recordings of a closely related petrel and other seabird calls. Throughout it all, our team braved challenging weather conditions, including consistent two four-meter sea swells and strong winds.
At night, team members shine bright lights into the sky to mimic the moon (a technique called spotlighting), which nocturnal seabirds like the Fiji petrel are believed to follow from their mountain colonies to the sea. Simultaneously, the team plays recordings of a closely-related petrel and other seabird calls. Gau Island, Fiji.
Photograph by Hamza Kiyani, National Geographic Pristine Seas
But searching for the Fiji petrel was like chasing shadows. Despite our best efforts, we didn’t have a single sighting. It’s a vast ocean, and we were trying to locate a tiny, rare creature.
The last confirmed sighting of a Fiji petrel was in 2023. Since then, the Pacific has experienced both a strong El Niño (warmer-than-average ocean temperatures) and a La Niña (cooler-than-average conditions), events that undoubtedly disrupted the seabirds’ food supply. On top of that, our expedition to Gau Island — the species’ likely nesting site — revealed large numbers of cats and other predators that prey on seabirds. With the Fiji petrel population estimated at just a few dozen, any one of these threats could further endanger the species’ survival.
And yet, despite the challenges, I left the expedition feeling hopeful. While on Gau Island, we met with the council of 16 island chiefs to discuss the urgent need for seabird conservation. During the meeting, the chiefs shared thoughtful presentations, songs and stories about their island and the petrel. The oral histories shared by the elders offered remarkable insights into the Fiji petrel — details that have never been documented in scientific literature. These included descriptions of historical colony sites passed down from great-grandparents and vivid recollections of the bird’s calls, which have never been formally recorded.
After several thoughtful discussions, the chiefs came to a rare consensus: they would unite to protect the seabird habitats on their island. Our partners from Fiji emphasized how uncommon it is for this many chiefs to agree on such a significant issue. Their collective voice sent a powerful message: that the future of Fiji’s seabirds matters.
Gau Island is a critical refuge not only for the Fiji petrel but also for other vulnerable species like the collared and Tahiti petrels. The commitment to new protections gives these seabirds a genuine chance to survive, recover and thrive.
While our original goal was to find and satellite tag a Fiji petrel, I believe we achieved something even greater: We helped rally an entire island around the protection of their native birds and lay the foundation for a meaningful conservation plan. And that is something we are truly proud of.
About The National Geographic Society
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