O Le Pupu-Pue

O Le Pupu-Pu'e National Park covers 5,019 hectares (50.2 km²) on the south-central part of Upolu, on the border of the Atua and Tuamasaga districts, and was founded in 1978 as Samoa's oldest national park^[1]. It runs from Mount Fito down to the coast and takes in uplands, valleys, marshes, the O Le Pupu lava field and coastal cliffs^[1]. It is an IUCN Category II area and a Ramsar wetland of international importance, designated in 2016^[1].

Fifty-one animal species have been recorded in the park, including three bats: the Samoa flying fox, the insular flying fox and the Pacific sheath-tailed bat^[1]. The Pacific boa is believed to be present, and remains were found in 2018^[1].

The park holds montane and lowland forest as well as littoral vegetation along the coast^[1]. Some 352 of Samoa's native plant species, about half of the country's total, have been recorded here^[1]. After cyclones Ofa and Val, the invasive vine Merremia spread over about 10% of the park^[1].

The park's landscape is volcanic: it includes the O Le Pupu lava field and coastal cliffs where the lava meets the sea^[1]. The park runs inland to Mount Fito^[1].

Samoa has a tropical oceanic climate with high temperatures and humidity, and heavy rain from November to April, the months when cyclones are most likely^[2]. Cyclones Ofa and Val damaged the park's forest and let invasive Merremia take hold^[1].

The park lies in the Atua and Tuamasaga districts of Upolu^[1].

The park was founded in 1978 under the National Parks and Reserves Act 1974 and began at 2,800 hectares^[1]. It grew to 4,234 hectares and reached 5,019 hectares in 2008, when a forestry project and the Togitogiga Recreational Reserve were added^[1]. It was managed first by the Forestry Division, then by the Lands, Surveys and Environment Department, and is now run by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment^[1].

The main draws are the lava field and coastal cliffs of the O Le Pupu coast, and the forested slopes of Mount Fito inland^[1]. The park also includes the Togitogiga Recreational Reserve, added in 2008^[1].

The park lies on the south side of Upolu, about 22 km from Apia, the nearest city. The Togitogiga Recreational Reserve is part of the park^[1].

The park carries IUCN Category II status and was listed as a Ramsar wetland in 2016^[1]. Merremia, which smothered about 10% of the park after the cyclones of 1990 and 1991, is the main invasive pressure recorded^[1].