Region

Animals of Cook Islands

452 species

The Cook Islands is a self-governing island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand. It comprises 15 islands whose total land area is 240 square kilometres.

  • The national flower of the Cook Islands is the Tiare māori or Tiale māoli,
  • The Cook Islands have a large non-native population of Ship rat and Kiore toka, The rats have dramatically reduced the bird population on the islands.
  • In April 2007, 27 Kuhl's lorikeet were re-introduced to Atiu from Rimatara. Fossil and oral traditions indicate that the species was formerly on at least five islands of the southern group. Excessive exploitation for its red feathers is the most likely reason for the species's extinction in the Cook Islands.
  • The Islands’ surrounding waters are the home of the Peppermint angelfish. While they are common, due to the difficulty of harvesting them they are one of the most expensive marine aquarium fish with a price of US$30,000.
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The Cook Islands is a self-governing island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand. It comprises 15 islands whose total land area is 240 square kilometres.

  • The national flower of the Cook Islands is the Tiare māori or Tiale māoli,
  • The Cook Islands have a large non-native population of Ship rat and Kiore toka, The rats have dramatically reduced the bird population on the islands.
  • In April 2007, 27 Kuhl's lorikeet were re-introduced to Atiu from Rimatara. Fossil and oral traditions indicate that the species was formerly on at least five islands of the southern group. Excessive exploitation for its red feathers is the most likely reason for the species's extinction in the Cook Islands.
  • The Islands’ surrounding waters are the home of the Peppermint angelfish. While they are common, due to the difficulty of harvesting them they are one of the most expensive marine aquarium fish with a price of US$30,000.
show less