VA003
Santo Mountain Chain


Country/territory: Vanuatu

IBA criteria met: A1, A2 (2010)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here

Area: 168,360 hectares (1,683.60 km2)

IBA conservation status
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2021 good high low
For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here


Site description (2010 baseline)
This site comprises the mountain chain running down the western side of Espiritu Santo. It encompasses the five highest mountain peaks in the country, Mt Tabwemasana, Mt Kotamtam, Mt Tawaloala, Mt Santo and Mt Lolohoe.

Key biodiversity
Both the endangered Sant Cruz Ground Dove and the Vulnerable Santo Starling have been reported at this site, but rarely, in the last 40 years. Both the vulnerable Palm Lorikeet and Vanuatu Imperial-pigeon are present in good numbers inthe mountain range, and are more common above 500m - hence the lower altitudinal limit.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Santo Mountain Chain (Vanuatu). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/santo-mountain-chain-iba-vanuatu on 23/12/2024.