Mauritius is home to a number of endemic and highly endangered species of mammals, birds, reptiles and plants. Unfortunately, it is more famous for it's dead species than the live ones! The Dodo of course being the most well known of a unique, long gone bird species. There are various sites around the island where visitors can see conservation projects at work and view some of the species where there has been success in rescuing them from extinction.
In the south of Mauritius is the Ile aux Aigrettes, off shore south of Mahebourg. Since 1985 the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation have restored this island and successfully re-introduced near extinct species where they can now live in their natural state. This is a non-government funded project and actually receives a lot of it's financial and educational support from Chester Zoo in the UK! Many reptiles live here including the Giant Aldabra Tortoises which you can walk up to - they can weigh up to 200kg! The original giant tortoises of Mauritius were eaten to extinction by passing sailors and this population today are the only free roaming group to be found anywhere in the Mascarenes islands. Smaller reptiles including several endangerd species of gecko and skink are found here too. One of the most famous modern day symbols of conservation success is the Mauritius Kestrel and also the Mauritius Pink Pigeon, successfully breed through zoo projects and are now back in the wild on Mauritius, the pigeon on Iles aux Aigrettes and the kestrel in Black River Gorges.
The most famous historical natural inhabitant of Mauritius was of course the Dodo, ill fated due to it's lack of flying ability - once the settling sailors found the islands, these birds were too heavy to run or fly away and apparently good to eat! Today the Dodo is recognised as a symbol to the endangered wildlife of the foundation.
In the North of Mauritius, the offshore islands are all designated nature reserves. Permits to visit can be obtained locally. Round Island is reported to have more endangered species than anywhere else in the world.
The largest public nature reserve on Mauritius is the Black River Gorges National Park which is home to many endemic plants and birds, including the Mauritius Kestrel.
Wolmar Nature Reserve is near Flic en Flac and has good hiking and biking trails. There is an 'inland' coral reef here plus wild boar, monkeys and giant fruit bats.
The Casela Bird Park in the Riviere North District, protects over 140 varieties of birds including the Pink Pigeon.
The Mauritius Wildlife Foundation is also working on Rodrigues Island with staff at the Francois Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve and has released many endangered Rodrigues Fruit Bats around the island following successful breeding programmes in European Zoos.
