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A sanctuary for iguanas

Fiji’s Ahura Resorts leads the conservation charge

By Prerna Priyanka their conservation efforts benefit everyone.
"We work closely with the community, supporting
Fiji’s Ahura Resorts—operator of Likuliku Island Resort infrastructure projects and providing education on
and Malolo Island Resort—has been at the forefront of taking environmental stewardship," Muspratt explained.
steps to protect the Fiji Crested Iguana, a critically endangered “We’re not just protecting iguanas, but also educating staff,
species. guests, and locals about environmental issues.”
Samantha Muspratt, Director of Sales and Marketing at Meanwhile, Ahura Resorts has also implemented
Ahura Resorts, recalls: "In 2010, one of our workers found an sustainable practices within their operations.
injured iguana. Muspratt shared: "We're improving waste management and
“This led to the discovery of the Malolo iguana, thought to reducing single-use plastics to minimise our environmental
be extinct for over 30 years. impact.
“So, we collaborated with experts like the San Diego Zoo "Our strategic objective is to lead by example in
Wildlife Alliance and the US Geological Survey to start a conservation and community engagement."
breeding programme in Malolo Island. The resort's conservation efforts extend above and below
“Taronga Zoo in Sydney, at one point was involved, [and] the sea, with projects encompassing coral reef restoration,
helped us set up the breeding cages and told us what we turtle conservation, and marine reserve establishment.
had to do, how we had to build them, what food we had to "By restoring the iguana's habitat, we're fostering
provide, and to see if we could start breeding them in captivity biodiversity and preserving Fiji's natural heritage for future
to restore the population in the wild.” generations."
The programme includes habitat restoration and the Looking ahead, Ahura Resorts has big plans.
removal of invasive species to create a safer environment for They hope to expand the iguana breeding programmes
the iguanas. and implement coral propagation nurseries.
Muspratt noted: "We're focusing on restoring their natural "Our journey towards environmental stewardship is
habitat and eliminating threats like invasive species, such as ongoing," says Muspratt. "We invite others to join us in
feral cats and other predators." protecting our planet."
The resort also engages with the local community to ensure

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