TETIAROA SOCIETY | THE CRABS OF TETIAROA
Connecting wildlife conservation, science, and the next generation.
The Project
Documenting the recovery of Tetiaroa's native crabs.
As part of a five-film documentary collection produced for Tetiaroa Society and The Brando, a luxury resort on the remote atoll of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia, Big Bite Films explored the vital role crabs play in maintaining the health of the island's ecosystems.
Following Tetiaroa Society's efforts to eradicate invasive rats and yellow crazy ants, researchers Simon Ducatez and Jayna DeVore are documenting the recovery of native crab populations. Working alongside them, we captured the fascinating behaviors of coconut crabs and other native species, revealing how these often-overlooked creatures contribute to the ecosystem by aerating soil and dispersing seeds.
The film also highlights the connection between wildlife conservation, the local Polynesian community, and the next generation of environmental stewards.
The Creative Challenge
Finding a fresh story within a shared conservation effort.
The greatest creative challenge was finding a distinct narrative for a film that shared its researchers, location, and conservation efforts with our companion documentary about Tetiaroa's birds. Rather than repeat the same research-focused story with a different species, we wanted to reveal another dimension of the island's interconnected ecosystem and the people working to protect it.
Filming the crabs presented its own logistical challenges. Coconut crabs inhabit the island's forests, while smaller shore crabs are extremely skittish, often disappearing into their burrows at the slightest disturbance. Unpredictable weather and the animals' natural activity patterns added complexity to the shoot. Capturing these elusive creatures required patience, careful planning, and close collaboration with local wildlife experts and researchers.
Our Creative Approach
Combining patient wildlife filmmaking with purposeful storytelling.
We approached the film with an emphasis on both ecological discovery and the human connection to conservation.
Working with a local crab wrangler, we located coconut crabs deep within the forest and filmed other species along the shoreline. We also documented researchers conducting their catch, tag, and release studies, capturing the hands-on scientific work used to monitor crab populations while respecting the animals and their habitat.
Editorially, we differentiated the film from its companion bird documentary by focusing on the crabs' unique contributions to the ecosystem and expanding the narrative beyond scientific research. Their role in aerating soil and dispersing seeds offered a fascinating way to illustrate how even the smallest inhabitants help sustain the islands.
We also highlighted Tetiaroa Society's educational outreach to Polynesian schoolchildren, connecting the research and preservation of wildlife to the communities and future generations who will carry that work forward.
The Result
Connecting ecological restoration with the next generation of conservation.
The finished film offers an intimate look at an often-overlooked part of Tetiaroa's ecosystem, combining compelling wildlife cinematography, scientific discovery, and a broader message about conservation.
Featured on Tetiaroa Society's website, in The Brando's private airport lounge, and on televisions inside the resort's guest villas, the documentary introduces visitors to the Society's conservation efforts and the interconnected ecosystem they help protect.
As part of the five-film collection, it offers a distinct perspective on the island's remarkable natural environment and the importance of preserving it for future generations.
Explore the Tetiaroa Documentary Collection
The Green Tour is one of five documentary films produced by Big Bite Films for The Brando and Tetiaroa Society. Each film offers a distinct perspective on the island's extraordinary environment and the people working to preserve it.
The Brando | Green Tour
Turtles of Tetiaroa
Mission of the Tetiaroa Society
The Return of the Birds to Tetiaroa
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