The unique wildlife of Haida Gwaii’s 150 islands is under attack by invasive crabs, rats and deer – echoing how local people also became vulnerable to outside forces
Fog shrouds trees in Gwaii Haanas national park in the Haida Gwaii archipelago, British Columbia. Geologists believe some of it was spared the last ice age, preserving species that now only exist here
An egg of an ancient murrelet, which once numbered in the tens of thousands until rats decimated populations Moss and forest cover the remains of T’aanuu Llnagaay, a village on Tanu Island that was eventually abandoned in the late 1800s after waves of smallpox outbreaks With the threat of rain hanging overhead, Bobby Parnell eases a skiff ashore outside the town of Daajing Giids.
In 2020, the crabs were spotted in Haida Gwaii. Each year, the haul from locals exposes the tremendous speed of their takeover. Last year, about 30,000 were pulled from the ocean. This year, with the season not yet wrapped, more than 200,000 have been trapped. “It’s devastating,” Parnell says. Clockwise from top, a sea lion rookery on the southern tip of Haida Gwaii; an oystercatcher; a bald eagle carries off the remains of a salmon
The deer have a particular appetite for western red cedar saplings, known as the “tree of life” in Haida culture. As a result, on many islands, no new cedars have grown in the wild for generations.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Australia news live: push for year-long paid parental leave; PM to urge Biden to ‘step up’ in PacificFollow live
Read more »
New Zealand to face Australia in Pacific Championships final after 50-0 win over Samoa, Kiwi Ferns beat Mate Ma'a Tonga 28-10Australia will meet New Zealand for Pacific Nations rugby league championship honours after the Kiwis crush Samoa to book their place in the final.
Read more »
‘We need Test matches’: Samoa coach calls for changes to schedule following heavy defeatNRL: New Zealand have ran up a huge score in their opening Pacific Championship game against Samoa at Eden park.
Read more »
Papenhuyzen shopped to NRL rival in shock Storm move amid young gun’s emergenceNRL: New Zealand have ran up a huge score in their opening Pacific Championship game against Samoa at Eden park.
Read more »
Knights star’s brotherly sacrifice; Dogs’ newest target revealed: Transfer WhispersNRL: New Zealand have ran up a huge score in their opening Pacific Championship game against Samoa at Eden park.
Read more »
‘The window is there’: Hasler’s bold claim ahead of Titans baptism of fireNRL: New Zealand have ran up a huge score in their opening Pacific Championship game against Samoa at Eden park.
Read more »