February 06, 2011 Down to only 5% of its original forest
landscape, New Caledonia in the southeast Pacific ocean is
famous for its endemic species, meaning found no-where else in
the world. According to a 2009 study, the island of New
Caledonia supports some of the world's highest levels of endemic
species, including five families of plants found no-where else
on Earth. The kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus), the only surviving
member of the bird family Rhynochetidae, is probably the most
well known of New Caledonia's endemic birds. In addition, the
New Caledonian crows (Corvus moneduloides) have become highly
publicized due to their incredible use of tools. The islands are
also home to one of the world's largest geckos, the New
Caledonian Giant Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus). Yet, New
Caledonia and the East Melanesian islands' forests are almost
gone. Nickel mining and deforestation have level much of the
islands' forests, while invasive species pose an additional
threat to many of the areas endemics. A number of