Current view: Text account
Site description (2010 baseline):
Site location and context
The OLPP National Park is located on the south coast of Upolu and extends from the coast all the way to the interior of Upolu. The site therefore has the full range of ecosystems from the littoral forests on the rugged coastal ridges, to the lowland rainforest, extending to the ridge rainforests along the watershed area to the montane forests. The majority of the site is made up of the Lefaga volcanic rock which has not full weathered, making soil very infertile.
The most surveyed of all sites in Samoa, mainly due to its status as a National Park. It was first surveyed in 1972 during the process of identification of potential sites for a National Park. Four of the 8 globally threatened species of Samoa are present, as well as 11 restricted range species.
Non-bird biodiversity: Pteropus samoenses, Clinostigam samoense and Thaumatodon hystricelloides have been identified on site.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The site has never been logged or cleared for any developments. However, Cyclones in 1990 and 1991 caused a lot of damage to the lowland forests, which are now mixed with secondary growth after the trees were destroyed.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The OLPP National Park work is continues through a JICA-funded program. The National Park status provides general protection for the site although it has been reported that hunters are still seen within the boundaries.
The OLPP National Park is the oldest National Park in Samoa.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: O Le Pupu-Pu'e National Park (Samoa). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/o-le-pupu-pue-national-park-iba-samoa on 23/12/2024.
