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  • Volcanic Adventures in Tonga: Species Conservation on Tin Can Island

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Ann Göth
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Volcanic Adventures in Tonga: Species Conservation on Tin Can Island Kindle Edition

by Ann Göth (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 out of 5 stars (32)
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the remote islands of Tonga with Ann, a young conservation scientist, in this captivating travel memoir that will leave you breathless. From smoking volcanoes to fierce cyclones, Ann braves the elements while racing against time to save an endangered bird. But as she immerses herself in the rich culture and untouched beauty of Tonga, she discovers the true power of stepping outside her comfort zone.
Join Ann as she uncovers the secrets of this breathtaking destination and navigates the challenges of living without modern comforts in "Tongan Time". This thrilling adventure will ignite your wanderlust and make you appreciate the comforts of home like never before. It will transport you to a new world filled with tropical delights, adventure, a unique culture, and self-discovery.

Here is what you will discover in this book:
  • A captivating 17-month-long travel story that takes you on an exciting armchair adventure.
  • Original photos documenting the journey and showcasing the vibrant life in Tonga.
  • Unique insights into authentic Tongan culture, revealing experiences that go beyond what most short-term tourists encounter in the South Pacific.
  • Fascinating glimpses into the life of a remarkable bird that relies on a volcano to incubate its eggs.
Read more
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  1. Print length
    198 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    September 10, 2024
  5. File size
    5.9 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

This book has all the intrigue, adventure, romance, disappointment, discovery and danger you would expect from one of those breathless traveller(s tales of past eras. This time, however, the story is actually true.- Professor Emeritus Darryl Jones, Griffith University, Award-winning author

Ann's exceptional tales of volcanic exploration have been meticulously preserved within the pages of this remarkable book, which undoubtedly deserves a five star rating. Seamlessly blending captivating storytelling with enlightening information, Ann's contagious passion resonates from the first page to the last, creating an immersive experience that will captivate readers seeking an escape to a world both mesmeriJing and unforgiving.- Literary Titan 5-star review.

I loved that this book reveals a Westerner's view of a different culture and the author's honest opinion of the things she found challenging, including language diverences and being told that she is not "big fat" enough - Volcanic Adventures in Tonga offers a fun adventure and a profound, memorable travel experience. It is also a timely reminder to preserve endangered species and be conscious of climate change. Every travel enthusiast and conservationist would love this book. I didn't want to miss a thing! - Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite, 5-star review.

Whis is an extraordinary book. If you've ever wanted to know what it might be like, as a Western person, to be marooned on one of the remotest islands of one of the remotest countries in the world, read this story. The complex relationships between the islanders and this couple who stayed for almost two years contain aspects that people who live in developed countries would never imagine. This is as much a story about human interaction and "ndigenous culture as it is about volcanoes and saving rare birds. Well written, entertaining and a quick, compelling read.- Simon Michael Prior, 5-star review, Award-winning travel author.

From the Author

This book is especially dear to me, as it tells the story of my 17-month experience living on remote islands, immersed in a culture vastly different from my own. It chronicles not only an expedition to save an endangered bird but also my journey of personal growth and overcoming challenges. I'm particularly fond of how it's rooted in the detailed letters I wrote home during that time—letters that my mum meticulously typed up on her old typewriter. Thank you, Mum, for being my first reader and for believing in the power of my story.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DGL1CVDD
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Natural Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 10, 2024
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.9 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 198 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0648603764
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Best Sellers Rank: #2,548,058 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars (32)

About the author

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Ann Göth

Ann Göth

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Dr. Ann Göth has always been a traveler with a wanderlust for places where nature reveals its amazing beauty and hidden wonders. She now lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband, son and two budgerigars, where she settled down after a Heidi-like childhood in the Austrian mountains and having moved across the world.

While studying Biology in Austria, Ann and her boyfriend took a two-year break to venture to Tonga in the South Pacific, where the two explorers hoped to help save an endangered ‘volcano bird’ from extinction. Her newest book, “Volcanic Adventures in Tonga”, is a memoir and adventure story about this expedition.

Since then, Ann has worked with mine detection dogs for the UN in Geneva and created displays for the Braunschweig Natural History Museum in Germany before moving to Australia. Here, her love of the ‘volcano bird’ lead her to study a related species, the Australian Brush-turkey. This bird uses a compost mound instead of a volcano for incubation. Fascinated by young birds that don’t need parents to grow up, she completed a PhD on their development and published the book “Mound-builders” with her PhD supervisor Prof. Darryl Jones.

Life as a biologist lead her to jobs as a lecturer at Macquarie University in Sydney and as a Threatened Species Officer for the NSW government. Nowadays, she aims to pass on her passion for nature and science as a high school teacher in Sydney. She also uses slide shows all over the city to convince Sydneysiders that brush-turkeys are fascinating and worth watching, even if they dig up people’s whole gardens in the process of building their mounds.

You can contact Ann through her website https://anngothauthor.com, follow her on Instagram or Twitter at @anngothauthor, or if you want to read up on her scientific publications, you can do so on ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ann-Goeth-2

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
32 global ratings
Wonderfully informative about the people, the flora and the fauna of the Kingdom of Tonga.
5 out of 5 stars
Wonderfully informative about the people, the flora and the fauna of the Kingdom of Tonga.
Ann Göth’s compelling account of two years on one of the 170+ islands that constitute the Kingdom of Tonga in the Pacific Ocean, makes it amply clear that a love of nature and boundless enthusiasm are not all that it takes to make her the successful conservation scientist that she is. At the age of 21, determined to study the endangered “mound bird” that incubates its eggs in the warm soil next to volcanic cones the author and a fellow-scientist as young as herself show themselves to be courageous, adventurous, tolerant, persistent and capable of adapting to a way of life among Polynesian people very different from themselves. British readers will remember the charming face of Queen Sālote of Tonga smiling at the public from a carriage when she attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in London in 1953. “Volcanic Adventures in Tonga - Species Conservation on Tin Can Island” provides a wonderfully informative background to the Kingdom of Tonga – the people, their way of life, their diet and social habits as well as an account of the flora and fauna. One of the heartbreaking things about being a biologist intent on conserving endangered species (wherever in the world that might be) is the regrettable role of local people in their depletion. Ann and her partner cope admirably with this matter as well as more mundane but often more amusing incidents involving unattractive insects, a challenging climate, communication difficulties and desperately poor transportation. Ann’s account of her period on Tin Can Island is both highly entertaining and deeply informative. It will leave you with great admiration for the author.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Inga's Adventures
    5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, Fascinating, and Full of Heart—An Unforgettable Island Conservation Tale
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I absolutely loved Volcanic Adventures in Tonga. Ann Göth shares an unflinchingly honest and deeply engaging account of what it’s really like to live and work on a remote island in the name of conservation. The book is equal parts scientific mission, cultural exchange, and personal adventure—and I didn’t want it to end.

    Ann and her partner arrive in Tonga with a passion for saving an endangered bird species, hoping to transplant eggs to another island with similar habitat. What follows is a wonderfully written journey full of logistical hurdles, unexpected setbacks, amusing anecdotes, and rich encounters with local residents. The author strikes a perfect balance between staying positive and being respectful of cultural differences, especially when local attitudes toward time, food, or conservation don’t always align with Western expectations.

    This is a fantastic read for anyone interested in field biology, remote travel, or cross-cultural collaboration. It’s smart, funny, heartfelt, and real. Highly recommended!
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  • Justin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A splendid account of research and observations done by two conservationists on a remote island in Tonga. The author’s detailed descriptions of island habitat and climate make you feel like you’re there out in the Pacific. However, setting aside a romantic view of going on an adventure to an exotic island, we see the dedication that it takes to prepare for an excursion on the other side of the world, which begins with finding the support and funding to do it.

    That the explorers were even able to observe and study the reclusive Malau, an endangered species of bird, attests to the their commitment to research and conservation of endangered animals. Equally interesting is the insight the author shares about the island culture she is living in. As the Malau have adapted to the environment of the island, so must the explorers by learning how to interact with the locals of another culture that speaks a different language. One might think a conservationist’s studies could be a little dull, but the author proves this not to be the case. The Malau are only found on one volcanic island of Tonga and have many unique behaviors. The challenge in helping to save this species from extinction is to learn their habitat and behaviors, in order to properly find another similar habitat that they can thrive in. Adding to the difficulty is that scholarly politics attempt to ruin their expedition and presents the challenge of making it back home.
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  • S. Jackson
    4.0 out of 5 stars island fever
    Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I almost gave up on this book as the first few chapters just weren’t to my liking—luckily I continued although browsed thru some areas and it was interesting to read about the people on the islands—how they lived—how they navigated to different islands and how they worked very hard in helping Ann and Ivo when needed without complaint. If you are at a loss for something to read and just want to learn how people without our A/c, good beds, no bugs, etc then give this a read—the ending also talks about climate change.
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  • Robbie Cheadle
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating memoire
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2025
    Format: Kindle
    I read a recommendation for this book on a blog and its premise fascinated me. I am a great lover of southern African wildlife and a part time environmentalist so the idea of a young couple being so devoted to saving an endangered species of bird delighted and intrigued me.

    The book tells the true story of the author's experiences on a remote island in Tonga in the early 1990s. I am slightly younger than the author and grew up in South Africa so the descriptions of rural life and how the Tongan people lived and ate, are quite relatable to me. Having lived and worked in southern Africa for years and studied many reports about corruption and administrative red tape in setting up projects and businesses, those aspects of Ann's story are also very understandable and relatable to me.

    The difficulties faced by this young European couple in gaining entry to Tonga, setting up the project, and ultimately conducting it, were interesting, but the most interesting part of this memoire was the coming of age aspect and the information about the birds.

    The couple were idealistic and full of good intentions when they set out on the project. They were going to help save an endangered an highly unusual bird on a remote island in Tonga. These are wonderful intentions but it was obvious to me from the outset, that the reality of what they were undertaking would be difficult and even disillusioning. The hardships the couple faced with illness, getting good food, understanding the culture and the language, and overcoming cultural obstacles and mindsets were fascinating. The story is actually a triumph for this couple who managed to stay true to their objectives in many ways, despite the huge obstacles and, towards the end, deteriorating health.

    On reflection, I would never had done what this couple did at their young age, and even less so now. Perhaps because I always had a much greater understanding of what they would encounter on their path. This knowledge makes me even more admiring of their great achievement.

    A fascinating story for lovers of wildlife and animals but also a story of enthusiasm, courage, and overcoming obstacles and staying true to an objective despite everything life throws at you in the process. An excellent book that I really enjoyed.
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  • Calvin Arthur
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2024
    Format: Kindle
    I was lucky to have been given the chance to read this book. Ann Goth was ahead of her time as a young college age student to embark on such an amazing and necessary adventure. Her story of overcoming so many obstacles to not only help save a species but to open up the world to the people of the Tonga should be in film someday. Truly amazing work! Thank you Ann and Ivo!
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  • Lovebaby2014
    5.0 out of 5 stars would make a great movie
    Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2024
    Format: Kindle
    The story is amazing and is extremely detailed that gives a great sense not only of the environment, the people, the experiences but more importantly the emotions that go along with this amazing adventure. The book gives a lot of insight to the difficult lives of the inhabitants and should act as an eye opener as to why some of animals are endangered and how difficult preservation can be on multiple levels. A great read for everyone.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Drew Johnson
    5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Ann and her young partner, Ivo, embarked on an extremely ambitious project together as young adults in the early 90s to observe the rare breeding characteristics of the little-known, endangered Malau bird native to one island in the Tongan archipelago. Despite the idyllic South Pacific location, a photographer’s dream, it quickly became clear that life on a very remote tropical island was going to be far from idyllic. Embracing the Tongan culture and language was an early priority in order to win over the support of the local elders, and this project would not have been possible without their generous and welcoming nature. I found this book a very enlightening read, and it was thanks to the bravery and fortitude of the author that we are able to read about her and Ivo’s conservation research project today
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  • V
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fun travel adventure
    Reviewed in Japan on June 11, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Volcanic Adventures in Tonga: Species Conservation on Tin Can Island is a memoir of a fledgling Austrian scientist’s first major journey to do field work in the South Pacific in 1991. This funny and evocative story details the 17 months Ann Göth spent with her partner on a remote Pacific Island, where they documented the life of unique megapode birds. These fascinating birds dig pits in volcanic sand, lay their eggs, then conceal the hole and leave the eggs to incubate in the warm subterranean nest. The chicks hatch, feet first, dig themselves out, and from the first day fend for themselves. The couple of young scientists hope they can transplant several eggs to a neighboring island, which, if successful, will increase the species’ chance for survival. But this book is not just about an interesting bird species’ move to a new island. It is also about how our young scientists navigate the customs of the local people, the bureaucracy of the government on the islands, and the mental challenges of being stuck on an island for long periods of time. It felt exciting to read this story and imagine the young Dr. Ann Göth crossing paths with a bespectacled paddler who was in the region at the same time: Paul Theroux. This is a story full of perseverance, curiosity, humanity, and love for the natural world. It is a book that belongs with other great travel adventures of young scientists such as Jane Goodall or Alfred Russell Wallace, who journeyed to the farthest reaches of the planet, in order to better know themselves.
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  • Naomi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Adventures
    Reviewed in Australia on September 23, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I loved the fact I was taken on a journey of discovery. The highlights are five months on the Tin Can Island Tongan Island lifestyle. What an incredible adventure seeing the coral islands in a turquoise sea south pacific. The photographs made it real life seeing the scenery and volcano etc. The relocation of 32 eggs from their warm burrow on Motu Molemole and transporting a new bird to touch soil. A well written book, well done.
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  • Volkswirt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Was ein Abenteuer!
    Reviewed in Germany on April 23, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Ich habe das Buch nun von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite verschlungen. Das Englisch ist gut und leicht zu lesen. Die autobiographische Geschichte ist einfach spannend und gibt phantastische Einblicke in das Leben und die Kultur einer kleinen tropischen Insel irgendwo im Pazifik und beschreibt die Schwierigkeiten des Forscheralltags, weit weg von allem was wir kennen. Oh, so kann ich beispielsweise die Lust auf bestimmte (dort fehlende) Lebensmittel nachvollziehen (oder die kulturelle Notwendigkeit bestimmte angebotene anzunehmen, sprich zu essen). Und das Huhn und Ann's mutiger Rettungsversuch zeigen uns im Kleinen was auf unserem Planeten gerade passiert: Möge das Tonga-Großfußhuhn leben, überleben!
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  • anonymous
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone interested in the South Pacific
    Reviewed in Australia on September 22, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Simply loved this book!
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