Kula

Kula is the Fijian name for the Collared Lory, its national bird. The scientific name is Phygis solitarius and it belongs to a group of old world parrots. It is a bird of the rainforest that has adapted to urban environments and can be spotted in Suva. 

Credit. Kula or Collared Lory.

The bird was prized for its vivid plumage through out Fiji, Samoa and Tonga - its scarlet feathers were traded across the South Pacific and used in ceremonial dress and mat edgings. (Nowadays replaced by wool).

These parrots are around 20 cm in size and an adult weighs an average of 75-85 g. It is a native of Fiji and also endemic to the Lau islands. It feeds on fruits, seeds and small caterpillars. It has a distinctive two note screechy call - listen to that by clicking here. 

It also gives it name to a wildlife park at Korotogo on the coral coast near Sigatoka. The Kula Wild Adventure Park is a nature park popular with visitors. It is a wildlife facility that preserves both the flora and fauna of the Fiji islands. Privately owned and operated, it positions itself as a family attraction with something for all age groups. The park has established captive breeding programmes for Fiji's endangered species, particularly the Iguanas, and acts a shelter for several rescued Red Breasted Musk parrots. There is a small aquarium with displays of live coral and marine molluscs found in Fiji. A pool with the resident Hawksbill turtles. Water rides for young visitors and a small café with a basic menu. 

The raised walkway through the rainforest setting. 

There is also a raised wooden walkway through the rainforest which I particularly liked - the entire park has humongous trees clearly labelled with both the local Fijian name, the botanical nomenclature and their uses/significance to the culture. Nice little nooks and crannies with benches to sit on and soak up the tranquility. A little rope bridge that gets you nowhere, its entire purpose is for you to step on its swinging, delightful self. What's not to love, right? The park has promoted knowledge about Fijian wildlife, conservation and environmental issues through free classes for school kids. 

Hawkbill turtle at the Kula Park.

It was established in the 1980s originally as a bird park and expanded to its current state in the late 1990s. It works with a number of partners in conservation such as  National Trust of Fiji, Endangered Species Recovery of San Diego and Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales. It is also an honorary associate of Royal Zoological Society of South Australia.   

It takes about 1¹/₂ hours to get to from Nadi, just after crossing the bridge on Sigatoka. As with most Fijian attractions, there are no bells and whistles. A few things could do with refreshing and/or a coat of paint. But don't let that put you off. The approach road off the main is gravel for a few hundred yards, but don't be put off by that either. It was a crowded weekend when I was there, there were quite a few children and they all seemed to be having a whale of a time. It's not exactly the London Zoo, but it's worth checking out if you are in the area. 

All this month I'll be writing about Aspects of Fiji, which is where I'm at the mo. And where the sum of its key parts is greater than the whole!

Did you know that there are two different species of Iguanas native to Fiji? Both are endangered, the Fiji Crested Iguana is critically endangered. There are another 100 marine species in Fijian waters which are also endangered. The situation as quite as bad on land as well. However, Fijian conservation efforts have been going on for decades now and several captive breeding programmes have been crowned with success. 

Posted for the A-Z Challenge 2023