Explore the Earth A wIL dlIfE PaRaDISE Mauritius may be best known as the final resting place <strong>of</strong> the dodo, but this tropical island is starting to get a new reputation as one <strong>of</strong> the leading lights <strong>of</strong> conservation Words Adam Millward 64
A wildlife paradise Travel expert Dr Vikash Tatayah is the conservation director <strong>of</strong> the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF). He manages a number <strong>of</strong> programmes that have helped wildlife to recover Mauritius is among the most isolated islands in the world. Plants and animals arrived naturally from the Afro-Malagasy region, Australasia and Asia, with a high proportion becoming endemic. Despite high levels <strong>of</strong> extinction following the arrival <strong>of</strong> man to an uninhabited Mauritius, the island is home to an amazing endemic fauna and flora with a dozen different native forest types. One can see Round Island bottle palms, ebonies and various hardwoods, Mauritius kestrels, pink pigeons, echo parakeets, Mauritius fodies, olive white-eyes, cuckoo-shrikes, Telfair’s skinks and surrogate giant tortoises by visiting Ile aux Aigrettes, Ferney Valley and the Black River Gorges National Park. Mauritius has led the rescue <strong>of</strong> plants and animals that would have joined the dodo, with a number <strong>of</strong> species brought back from the verge <strong>of</strong> extinction. For more information, visit www.mauritian-wildlife.org. Spinner dolphin You can get up close to these marine acrobats in their natural environment and also go whale watching <strong>of</strong>f the west coast <strong>of</strong> the island. Pink pigeon It might seem counterintuitive travelling halfway around the world to see a pigeon, but this isn’t your average urban cooer. In 1986, there were just 12 wild individuals left, but they refused to go the way <strong>of</strong> their unlucky relative the dodo and continue to recover. Travel guide Fruit bat The only mammals native to the Mascarene Islands (consisting <strong>of</strong> Mauritius, Rodrigues and Réunion) are these charismatic flying foxes. When to go When it’s winter in the UK, it’s summer in Mauritius. The <strong>of</strong>f-peak cooler months (July to September) are more comfortable for exploring the island. 4 1 5 6 Map key 1 Black River Gorges National Park 2 Bambous Mountains 3 Ile aux Aigrettes 4 Tamarin Bay 5 Black River Gorges National Park 6 Trou-aux-Biches Clownfish Find Nemo, Dory and a whole lot more when you descend beneath the waves in a submarine, the only such leisure sub in the entire Indian Ocean. 3 2 Mauritius kestrel Another resident that has made a remarkable recovery is the island’s only remaining bird <strong>of</strong> prey. Once classified as the rarest bird in the world, this raptor is on many a birdwatcher’s bucket list. Aldabra tortoise Although Mauritius’ own native giant tortoises were driven to extinction in the 19th century, a successful rewilding programme with these Seychelles natives has seen great success in recent years. How to get there Limited direct flights are available from the UK to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, from where you can take a taxi on to your hotel. What the weather will do Mauritius has a tropical climate year-round, so expect sun and intense rain showers, especially in the summer. January to February is peak period for cyclones. What to take In addition to your bathing suit, you’ll want to take light clothing. Pack something smart for the evenings as many hotels and restaurants request formal wear. What you’ll see Mauritius is a lot more than sandy beaches and turquoise seas. Make time to visit its wild forests, unusual geological sites and bustling capital, Port Louis. 65
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