Critically Endangered Vangunu Giant Rat Captured on Camera for First Time

Indigenous Knowledge Aids Discovery of Rare Rodent on Solomon Islands Amid Logging Threats

Scientists have captured the first images of the Vangunu giant rat, a critically endangered species known for its size and ability to chew through coconuts, found only on the island of Vangunu in the Solomon Islands.
The rat, which is at least twice the size of a common rat and can grow to the size of a newborn baby, was first identified in 2017 but had not been documented alive until now.
The discovery was made possible by the local knowledge of the indigenous people of Vangunu, who guided researchers on where to place cameras and what bait to use.
The rat's habitat is rapidly declining due to logging, which has been a major part of the economy of the Solomon Islands.
The community of Zaira on Vangunu has been fighting to protect the rat's habitat from logging for 16 years, and hopes that the images will strengthen their case for the area to be recognized as a protected area under the Solomon Islands Protected Areas Act 2010.