The kagu
National bird.
Asamboi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gwendal Audran — CC BY-SA 4.0 · JJ Harrison — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Richard Fuller — CC BY-SA 3.0
Blue River Provincial Park is a nature reserve in the South Province of New Caledonia, about 32 km in a straight line east of the capital, Nouméa. It covers about 22,000 hectares between 160 and 1,250 m above sea level, taking in the basins of the Blue and White rivers. The park brings together two of the island's best-known habitats: shrubland on mineral-rich red soil, and tropical rainforest. It includes part of Yaté Lake, a reservoir formed after a dam was built in 1958, from which the trunks of dead trees still rise in what is known as the «drowned forest». The park is famous as one of the last strongholds of the kagu, New Caledonia's endangered national bird, with about 700 birds, the largest wild population. Other rare birds live here too, and one of its best-known sights is a giant kauri tree around a thousand years old and 40 m tall. Entry is paid. Roads and trails lead to waterfalls and swimming holes, early morning is best for birdwatching, and bring water and food, as facilities inside are limited.
National bird.
Trunks in the lake.
About 1,000 years old.
Yaté, South Province, New Caledonia
Often, as the park holds the largest wild population.
Facilities are limited, so bring food and water.