The Beaufond family continued to own North Island until 1976, when it was sold to a German developer, Mr. Ruster, after the collapse of the copra industry in the 1970s. The farm was abandoned and overgrown, with domestic animals running wild. By 1997, Norisco bought North Island with plans for restoration. The original cattle, left to roam, were difficult to capture, and invasive species like lantana spread across the island. The new owners aimed to restore the island’s ecosystem and establish a sanctuary for endangered plants and wildlife.
Decline and Sale of the Island
