© CNRS Audiovisuel France,1997

Toromiro

Return of a sacred tree on the Easter Island

Reference

283

Duration

00:35:00

Production year

1997

Versions

Original material

SD
4/3
Color
Sound

Director(s)

Rosa OLMOS

Summary

The toromiro is a small tree which had grown on the Easter Island for about 35.000 years. Human pressure, linked to important climatic fluctuations and the massive importation of sheep during the 19th century, provoked its extinction.
The toromiro was saved by Thor Heyerdahl in 1956, who preserved some seeds. An interdisciplinary program is devoted to its culture and its reintroduction on the island. This program needs some genetic investigations.

Scientific topics

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