2012 Flora & Fauna Series $5 Banknote- Ariff Ali Signature

$5-GREEN
Size: 136 x 67mm
POLYMER BANKNOTE

Front design features Fiji’s endemic Kulawai (Red-throated Lorikeet), our smallest member of the parrot family. Predominantly green, the Kulawai is a very rare inhabitant of the mountain forest canopy which feeds on nectar and pollen. Kulawai has only been recorded from Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Ovalau. The last confirmed sighting was in 1993 and searches in the last few years have failed to find it. The arboreal ship rat Rattus rattus, a common rat in Fiji’s forest is an aggressive predator of small nesting birds and is believed to be the major culprit in the demise of the Kulawai.

A clear window with an image of an i-Taukei man is featured on the note. An image of a Kato ni Masima (salt basket) is also featured on the front of the note.  Back design features Fiji’s endangered Crested Iguana, endemic Balaka Palm, Masiratu flower and Mount Valili in Vanua Levu.