Too Many Mongoose

Fiji Pays a Bonus For Tails

THE mongoose, which came to Fiji from India with the Indians, is becoming so serious a pest in the large island of Viti Levu, that the Government has been forced to take action.

A substantial bonus for mongoose tails has been offered by the Department of Agriculture, and it is hoped that, as a result of this, the spread of the crea tures may be limited.

Unfortunately, this bonus applies only to mongoose caught within the peninsula of Suva. Country dwellers protest that the mongoose is a greater pest with them than it is about the city of Suva, and they ask for remedial action. But, of course, funds for this purpose are limited, and it is not expected that the plea of the country-dwellers will be given much consideration.

The mongoose, in India, is a ferocious little animal which is regarded as a friend of man, because of its activity in killing snakes. In Viti Levu, however, it has been diverted from its original pur pose—which apparently was anti-rat — and it now preys upon fowl-yards to such an extent that in many cases entire com munities of hens have been destroyed.

The Fijian island of Viti Levu provides an interesting example of how stupid interference by man can disturb a bal ance of nature achieved over thousands of years of natural evolution. The limited indigenous fauna of Viti Levu has been practically wiped out during the past quarter-century, and there is now established there the minah and the bul bul, two birds from Asia which have driven the Fijian birds back into the recesses of the inland mountains; the mongoose, from India, which seems to have taken possession of the thickets in the manner described; and the giant toad, an amiable reptile introduced from America to cope with pests in the plan tations. but which has flourished and multiplied to such an extent that it now is found in every water-hole and patch of grass.