Mauritius Olive White-eye

Scientific Name: Zosterops chloronothus Animal Type: Bird Location: Mauritius. Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Profile

In 2002, less than 120 pairs of these songbirds were thought to be left on Mauritius and it was feared that the olive white-eye would go the same way as the dodo and many other of the island’s unique birds. Confined to wet upland forests where it feeds on nectar and insects, the species is threatened by the severe loss and degradation of the island’s native habitats, and preyed on by introduced mammals.

However, Durrell’s programme in Mauritius over the last 30 years has helped to reverse the slide of several species towards extinction, and the olive white-eye is now benefiting from the intensive management techniques we have developed for the Mauritius kestrel, the pink pigeon and the echo parakeet.

Now, olive white-eyes are being reintroduced to Ile aux Aigrettes, a small off-shore island where Durrell and its partners the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation have been managing a major habitat restoration project aimed at restoring the environment to its original state.