It’s closer to Indonesia than Australia. It has had a very chequered history of colonialism and exploitation, economic struggles and workers rights movements.It has moved into the 21st Century with many challenges.

It has been an absolute pleasure to visit this far off island. I was able to watch scores of birds flying across me every single day. The extended national parks which form over 60% of the island now, with its Jurassic looking pandanus forests, its rugged and wild coastlines and a kaleidoscope of crabs offers so much. Not least because our days were punctuated with talks from passionate and grounded scientists who were conducting work which made us proud, hopeful and joyful.

Jake at the Pink house with his research on blue tailed skinks and Lister’s geckos.Their numbers had dropped substantially on the island due to the accidental introduction to the island of the fox snake. They are now conducting studies to increase their populations and to reintroduce them gradually back on Cocos island and perhaps eventually back on Christmas. Including giving them vitamins, checking their genetics, ensuring a separate population just in case one is lost and securing them seats on Qantas flights and then boat trips to their new homes on Cocos islands.

Jessie, an Honours student is using solar panels and cameras to try and monitor animal behaviour in the wild. Keen, funny and committed he is the future of constructive academic work with his eyes firmly on Lister’s geckos.

And Zac meets us in the jungle to show us how he catches, bands and monitors thrushes on the island.

Neil and Tracy look after injured birds and do a painstaking job with islandcare.com

Dan talking to us about the habits of some of the birds as well as the geological structures of the island.

Commitments to their work, our planet and preserving our natural world. It doesn’t get more encouraging than this.