Penrhyn Islanders in the Cook Islands fear they may have an infestation of the red palm weevil.
The islanders have been raising concerns recently about damage to the coconut trees on the island and had feared that rhinoceros beetle, which is present in some Pacific nations, had reached Penrhyn.
A government assessment said that wasn't the case and Wilkie Rasmussen, who once represented the island in parliament, and these days is a spokesperson for the Environment Society, told Don Wiseman red palm weevils might be the island.
Penrhyn, Cook Islands Photo: RNZI / Mary Baines
