Cook Islands - Wildlife

Wildlife

  • The national flower of the Cook Islands is the Tiare māori or Tiale māoli (Penrhyn, Nassau, Pukapuka).
  • The Cook Islands have a large non-native population of Kiore toka (Ship rat). and Polynesian rat The rats have dramatically reduced the bird population on the islands.
  • In April 2007, 27 Kuhl's Lorikeet were re-introduced to Atiu from Rimatara. Fossil and oral traditions indicate that the species was formerly on at least five islands of the southern group. Excessive exploitation for its red feathers is the most likely reason for the species's extinction in the Cook Islands.

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