World_of_Animals_Issue_46_2017

Explore the Earth
Go island-hopping
to see rare reptiles
In relation to land area, the Mascarene island group
once claimed more endemic reptiles than anywhere
else on Earth. Although some of these have now
been lost for ever, others managed to cling on in
isolated communities on offshore islets. These mini
ecosystems – the last remaining pockets of a precolonisation
era – formed the foundation for a longterm
project to restore Mauritius’ reptiles.
After decades of groundwork, replanting native
plants and trying to manage invasive species like
shrews and land snails, small groups of endangered
lizards have been moved to neighbouring islands to
increase their range and odds of survival.
Some of these island nature reserves are
closed to the public to avoid jeopardising the
rewilding process, but others are accessible. The
aforementioned Ile aux Aigrettes is home to new
populations of Telfair’s skinks and Guenther’s geckos
– one of the world’s biggest gecko species – as well
as the colourful ornate day gecko. Ile aux Fouquets
now supports a healthy community of Ilot Vacoas
skinks, while Gabriel Island has a small number of
orange-tailed skinks, but you will need permission
before you can visit the island.
Meet the ultimate
comeback kid
It’s terrifying to think how close the Mauritius
kestrel came to extinction. A deadly cocktail of
forest destruction, introduced species raiding
their nests and harmful pesticides used in
agriculture reduced the population to just two
mating pairs by the 1970s. A huge conservation
initiative, including monitoring of wild birds,
captive breeding and the installation of pest-proof
nest boxes, has reversed their fortunes. Although
they are no longer Critically Endangered, with an
estimated 400-500 kestrels island-wide, these
rare raptors are not completely out of the woods
yet; there have been worrying declines in some
areas in recent years.
To see Mauritius’ last endemic birds of prey,
your best bet is to spend some time hiking in the
Bambous Mountains nature park on the southeast
coast of the island. There are sometimes feeding
sessions at a visitors’ centre in the Vallée de
Ferney, where a few wild kestrels have learned
that they can pick up a free lunch!
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