If the frigate bird stops returning to the Pacific, what could we lose with its flight?
Description
The silhouette of the Great Frigate Bird is hard to miss — glossy black feathers, deeply forked tail, and long, slender wings that slice through the sky. But it's more than just a sea bird, its significance runs deep in our culture.
For many island nations, the frigate bird stands as a powerful symbol of strength, freedom, and endurance. We capture it in coming-of-age ceremonies, weave its form into our dances and tattoos, and proudly feature it on Kiribati's national flag.
But now, rising seas, coastal development, and climate change are destroying the habitats they rely on. And when they stop coming, what might disappear with them?
Siosenamele Lui from SPREP sums it up clearly, "If we start to lose these keystone species, we start to lose the language and the knowledge. And bit by bit, our stories become incomplete."
You'll also hear how Rooti Terubea from Kiribati, and George Quadina from Nauru are preserving the spirit of the frigate bird through the enduring traditional pastime of frigate bird catching.
Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios for ABC Radio Australia.
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