The Niue government has banned the shooting of pigeon, or lupe, and flying fox, or peka, this season.
The environment minister, Billy Talagi, says the extremely dry conditions resulting from the drought are a serious threat to the habitats of both species and the government wants to protect them until conditions are more favourable.
Both species are considered delicacies in Niue and while there was a five-year hunting ban after Cyclone Heta in 2004, in recent years the month of December has been designated the hunting period.
