Mauritius Conservation Work

Mauritius is home to some of Durrell’s great conservation successes, like the Mauritius kestrel and pink pigeon.

The mainland and its surrounding offshore islands in the Indian Ocean are home to a wealth of wildlife, with many species found nowhere else on Earth. We've been working to conserve the wildlife in Mauritius and its offshore islands since Gerald Durrell first visited Round Island in the 1970s.

Durrell has worked closely with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, the Government of Mauritius and other partners to deliver some of conservation's greatest success stories, like the Mauritius Kestrel and the pink pigeon. The Island Restoration Programme works across 11 offshore islands, including Round Island. These unique and delicate ecosystems are home to some of the world’s rarest species.

By working with local partners to protect native species and restore habitats, we are rebuilding Round Island's ecosystem with hopes that this tiny islet becomes a global case study for island rewilding.

Durrell conservation team in Mauritius jump for joy

2km²

Round Island size

800%

population increase of Telfair's skink

Our conservation work

What we're doing to help in Mauritius

Removing invasive species

On the Mauritian offshore islands, many species populations were suffering due to the presence of non-native species like goats, rodents and rabbits, which eat the native plants and animals, lessening food availability for many native species.

What we're doing to help

The removal of goats from Round Island in the 1970s allowed native plant species to start recovering and saw an increase in native species populations. Rabbits were removed in 1986, and by 1989 the Telfair's skink population had increased by 100%. This led to invasive species being removed from other islands, allowing native wildlife to flourish as it once had.

Population management and monitoring

Many of Round Island's native species were under threat due to habitat loss and competition with invasive species. After the removal of non-native wildlife, many species began to recover, but population monitoring and management were needed to improve survival rates.

What we're doing to help

Through population monitoring and management of reptiles and seabird species, we are able to assess the health of the entire ecosystem. For example, the Telfair's skink population size indicates the health of the island's other native reptiles. We continue to monitor their numbers, translocate them to other islands and breed them in captivity.

Restoring the ecosystem

Ensuring the future health of Round Island's ecosystem meant protecting its native species and restoring their habitats.

What we're doing to help

We are working to restore Round Island's unique plant community through planting and propagation in our nursery on the island and in the field. The removal of invasive species and the monitoring and management of native wildlife have provided a case study for rewilding islands globally. This vital research will help to restore the ecosystems of many biodiverse islands so that native fauna and flora can thrive once again.

Our partners

National Parks and Conservation Service | Forestry Service (Government of Mauritius) | Mauritian Wildlife Foundation

Species we're helping in Mauritius

Palm savannah
Telfair’s skink
Round Island boa
Giant tortoises
Round Island petrel
Red-tailed tropicbird
White-tailed tropicbird
Pink pigeon
Invertebrates
Marine system

Support our work in Mauritius

Become a member Make a donation

Mauritius

Mauritius is home to some of Durrell’s great conservation successes, like the Mauritius kestrel and pink pigeon.

Our conservation work

What we're doing to help in Mauritius

Removing invasive species

On the Mauritian offshore islands, many species populations were suffering due to the presence of non-native species like goats, rodents and rabbits, which eat the native plants and animals, lessening food availability for many native species.

What we're doing to help

Population management and monitoring

Many of Round Island's native species were under threat due to habitat loss and competition with invasive species. After the removal of non-native wildlife, many species began to recover, but population monitoring and management were needed to improve survival rates.

What we're doing to help

Restoring the ecosystem

Ensuring the future health of Round Island's ecosystem meant protecting its native species and restoring their habitats.

What we're doing to help

Our partners

Species we're helping in Mauritius

Where we work

Latest news from Mauritius