World_of_Animals_Issue_46_2017

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Watch the bats rise as the Sun sets Even in a tiny country famed for its biodiversity and high number of endemic animals, the Mauritian fruit bat stands out. It’s the sole surviving native mammal found on the island. These mega bats, also known as flying foxes, have wingspans of up to 0.8 metres (2.6 feet) and their ginger-coloured furry heads lend them their fox-like appearance. Fruit bats play a vital role in pollinating and dispersing the seeds of some of Mauritius’ most endangered plants. Although they can be spotted in forested areas all over the island in the evenings, one of the most impressive displays takes place at sundown in Black River Gorges National Park. You can easily spend a day hiking in the country’s only national park, and it’s a hot spot for many of Mauritius’ rarest birds, including pink pigeons, olive whiteeyes and echo parakeets. As the light begins to fade, thousands of bats fly up en masse from the caves and ravines where they rest during the day. Be sure to keep a close eye on the time, though, as the gates shut in the evenings – or you might want to consider stopping the night at the campsite next to the Black River Visitor’s Centre. See Darwin’s plan in action Sadly, just like the dodo, the many native tortoises that once called Mauritius home were wiped out by the arrival of European settlers. This was not just a loss for chelonian-kind. It also left a huge gap in the regional ecology, as the turtles were the principal grazers, keeping wild plants in check and spreading seeds, like those of the ebony tree. It was history’s most famous naturalist, Charles Darwin, who suggested that a similar species might be introduced to take their place. Enter the Aldabra giant tortoise, the last of their kind in the Indian Ocean. In 2000, the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) released 20 of these gentle giants – originally from the Seychelles – on the Ile aux Aigrettes nature reserve off the southeastern coast. The focus of a long-term conservation project, this 26-hectare (64-acre) islet contains the only remnants of Mauritius’ once prolific dry coastal forest, providing a refuge for many animals long since driven off the mainland. The initiative has proven so successful that over 100 tortoises have now been translocated to another island to build up a second population. The MWF leads walking tours on Ile aux Aigrettes, so as well as meeting the shelled stars, you’ll also have an expert at hand to explain exactly how rewilding works. 66
A wildlife paradise Beyond the beach Explore Port Louis Set around a busy harbour, the Mauritian capital is a melting pot of cultures. You’ll find colourful temples, markets and museums, and don’t miss the Pamplemousse Gardens. Get active Mauritius offers many outdoor activities, from kayaking to caving. But top of the list must be abseiling down a 95m (312ft) cliff beside Chamarel Falls, Mauritius’ highest waterfall. Listen to some sega Typically sung in Créole (the native tongue), sega is one of the most popular musical genres in Mauritius. Variants of it include seggae – a cross between sega and reggae. Climb Le Morne If you’re feeling energetic, why not tackle the 556m (1,824ft) Le Morne Brabant? This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to several rare plants and offers amazing views. Enjoy a very sweet history lesson Discover the huge role sugar has played in shaping Mauritius at the Beau Plan sugar mill. You can buy some souvenirs produced from the local sugarcane, including Mauritian rum! 67
Page 1:
5 snake superpOWers yOu WOn’t beL
Page 4 and 5:
Welcome to Issue 46 06 Amazing anim
Page 6 and 7:
The amazing world of animals 6
Page 8 and 9:
The amazing world of animals Every
Page 10 and 11:
The amazing world of animals A spre
Page 12 and 13:
All about the koala Koala Phascolar
Page 14 and 15:
All about the koala Koalas wedge th
Page 16 and 17: Inside the koala Koalas are adapted
Page 18 and 19: All about the koala Life in a gumtr
Page 20 and 21: ExtrEmE SNAILS Famous for their slo
Page 22 and 23: Extreme snails Most protective Appl
Page 24 and 25: Extreme snails Deadliest Cone snail
Page 26 and 27: PAINTED LEOPARDS A life spent prowl
Page 28 and 29: Painted leopards Hunters of the nig
Page 30 and 31: Painted leopards South America Curr
Page 32 and 33: Fighting Fish Discover fascinating
Page 34 and 35: Fighting fish That’s not my name
Page 36 and 37: Fighting fish I choose you The mati
Page 38 and 39: GARDENING GONE WILD Fancy turning y
Page 40 and 41: Gardening gone wild Hedgehogs help
Page 42 and 43: Gardening gone wild Bees pollinate
Page 44 and 45: Gardening gone wild Five birds in y
Page 46 and 47: ost forever Sloth lemur This slow-m
Page 48 and 49: THE INCREDIBLE LIVES SEABIRDS Despi
Page 50 and 51: Brown pelican Arctic tern This dimi
Page 52 and 53: The incredible lives of seabirds Th
Page 54 and 55: The incredible lives of seabirds no
Page 56 and 57: The incredible lives of seabirds Se
Page 58 and 59: Conserving the scimitar-horned oryx
Page 60 and 61: The open plains beckon! The first o
Page 62 and 63: Conserving the scimitar-horned oryx
Page 64 and 65: Explore the Earth A wIL dlIfE PaRaD
Page 68 and 69: Explore the Earth Go island-hopping
Page 70 and 71: Explore the Earth Dive with dolphin
Page 72 and 73: SUpEr serpents Snakes are some of t
Page 74 and 75: Leaf-cutter ants FARMERS OF THE INS
Page 76 and 77: Leaf-cutter ants Leaf-cutter ant At
Page 80 and 81: Leaf-cutter ants “These ants are
Page 82 and 83: Meet the family Dolphins After maki
Page 84 and 85: The wildlife of a cave Meet the cur
Page 86 and 87: The wildlife of a cave The creature
Page 88 and 89: The wildlife of a cave The cave eco
Page 90 and 91: ehind lens THE Luke Massey Pro phot
Page 92 and 93: Keeping in touch Contact us at… @
Page 94 and 95: TM £4.99 £3.75 per issue Subscrip
Page 96 and 97: Animal answers Send your animal que
Page 98: Interview with a… wildlife fundra
Page 102: 9000 9012
show all

World_of_Animals_Issue_46_2017

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?