Robert Zhao Renhui - ARENA
In the Indian Ocean, 350 kilometres south of Java, lies the Australian Christmas Island. It is unique because of its large amount of endemic flora and fauna. Many species of plants and animals only appear on this island, including a large population of red crabs.
During the nearly 150 years that people have inhabited the island, however, foreign species of plants and animals have also been introduced, which have disturbed the natural ecology. As part of the 3rd Christmas Island Conservation Plan all communities were evacuated to the Australian mainland, whereby the island is now a strict nature reserve. In CHRISTMAS ISLAND, Zhao Renhui documented the extinction of several indigenous and rare animals species, and the attempt of conservators to combat foreign species.
