Current view: Text account
Site description (2006 baseline):
Site location and context
This IBA contains the only known site for the Vanua Levu subspecies of Long-legged Warbler (EN), and has all the other endemic birds on Vanua Levu except for the Silktail, which is restricted to another peninsula. It consists of the largest remaining important forests in Vanua Levu, and includes six Sites of National Significance as outlined in the BSAP: Delaikoro, Waisali, Tavea, Valili, Drawa and Delainacau.
This IBA supports eight of the nine subspecies endemic to Vanua Levu.
A1 (globally threatened species)
* Friendly Ground-dove (VU) – fairly common in some areas
* [Long-legged Warbler (VU) – the only record of the Vanua Levu subspecies
T. r. clunei was from here in 1974; probably still occurs]
* Black-faced Shrikebill (VU) – rare
A2 (restricted-range species)
22 species (out of 24 on Vanua Levu), including two of the three endemic to Vanua Levu and Taveuni.
Non-bird biodiversity: Limited surveys have been undertaken in Waisali and Drawa only. Waisali is the only known site for the Fijian Ground Frog (EN) on mainland Fiji (Viti Levu and Vanua Levu) despite the presence of mongoose. Waisali also supports the Fijian Tree Frog (NT) and at least four species of reptile including the Turquoise Tree Skink which is known only from one other specimen. The BSAP technical botanical report identified six Vanua Levu sites of high botanical biodiversity, four of which are part of this IBA (Waisali, Mt Dikeva, Mt Delainacau and Mt Kasi). Botanical surveys at Drawa showed that 51% of flora species are native, 47% are endemic to Fiji and 10 species are threatened within Fiji.
The Wailevu/Dreketi Highlands IBA consists of lowland and montane forest along the southern spine of Vanua Levu island. The northern slopes have some dry forest but the central hills and southern slopes are mainly tropical lowland rainforest with an average rainfall of 3,500–4,800 mm/annum. Delaikoro has rugged terrain with lowland rainforest reaching up to montane cloud forest and the highest peak in Vanua Levu at 941 m. Logging roads run from the lowlands (e.g. Sueni and Nadavaci villages) up into the fringes of the ridge, and it has been proposed that some roads could be upgraded into a public road across the hills to Savusavu. Much of Valili (about 14 km2) is still unlogged, especially around the ridges extending east to west towards Delaikoro. Delainacau (about 11 km2) is largely logged but the steep slopes remain as old-growth forest. The Drawa forest (6,346 ha) is the site of a large sustainable forestry project lead by GTZ. A central ridge-top area of protection forest covers 32% of Drawa, 24% is either preserved forest (for conservation) or non-forest, and 44% is multiple-use forest where timber production is allowed. The Waisali forest (120 ha) was established as a nature reserve in 1991 and is administered as such by the National Trust of Fiji. Most of this reserve is tropical lowland rainforest ranging from 350 m to 650 m altitude. Although many of the gentle slopes have been logged, it contains some of the best remaining stands of Dakua trees in Fiji. The IBA contains parts of 172 Native Lands (totalling about 64,137 ha), about 22 Freehold Lands (about 3,631ha) and 9 Crown Scheduled Lands (678 ha).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Logging - Agricultural Expansion - Invasive Alien Species - Fire - Hunting
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
This IBA is threatened primarily by logging. Whilst environmentally friendly logging may not have major effects on birds, much of the logging on Vanua Levu is unsustainable and causes extensive forest destruction as well as the subsequent problems of increased numbers of invasive alien species (e.g. mongoose), and agricultural expansion. Other minor threats include fire and hunting. Waisali is managed by the National Trust of Fiji as an ecotourism site which offers pools, forest, especially Dakua trees, and birdwatching. Visitor facilities developed in 2005 included constructing tracks between the pools, with a bure and visitors’ information. The GTZ sustainable
forest management project at Drawa forest aims to balance the conservation of forest and endemic plants with income for local stakeholders from forestry and agriculture. The Delaikoro, Delainacau and Valili areas currently lack any conservation effort. Conservation work needs to be initiated at the mataqali level of the villages in these areas. An opportunity is afforded by the road up to the Delaikoro radio mast which offers easy birdwatching on the way up to the island’s highest peak with beautiful views to Labasa to the north and Savusavu to the south.
Unprotected except for Waisali Forest Amenity Reserve (120 ha). Most of the site is a Site of National Significance.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Wailevu/Dreketi Highlands (Fiji). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/wailevu-dreketi-highlands-iba-fiji on 22/11/2024.
