The richness and diversity of the fauna and flora of Mauritius

The flora and fauna of Mauritius: remarkable yet fragile biodiversity

Until the 16th century, Mauritius was a wild and unspoilt island, a true paradise on earth, home to a high level of biodiversity and many species that are unique in the world. Unfortunately, the arrival of European settlers coincided with the beginning of the decline in Mauritian biodiversity.

Intensive deforestation, the exploitation of the soil for sugar cane cultivation and the importation of new plants by the colonists all contributed to the disappearance of a large part of the primary forest and endemic flora of Mauritius.
Mauritius' fauna also paid a heavy price for the massive influx of settlers, with the disappearance of hundreds of endemic animal species due to hunting or the introduction of new pests such as rats, dogs and wild boars.
The best known of these is of course the Dodo, the emblem of Mauritius but also a symbol of the extinction of animals due to human activity. With the Dodo, many other Mauritian animal species have also disappeared: the Dutch Founingo, the Red Hen or Mauritian Rail, etc.

Today, major conservation efforts are being made by the Mauritian authorities and numerous local and international environmental protection organisations. Despite this, Mauritius' incredible biodiversity remains vulnerable to deforestation, the reduction of its natural areas, global warming and human activities.

The Dodo, symbol of the disappearance of Mauritius' endemic fauna

Mauritius was home to 18 endemic bird species, 7 of which have now disappeared.
Among them, the Dodo, or Dronte de Maurice, is the most famous representative. Extinct since the end of the 17th century following the arrival of European settlers, it is now the symbol of animal extinction directly attributable to human activity.

Mauritius was home to a large number of these large birds, which could measure up to one metre and weigh more than 20 kilos. Unable to fly, Dodos were slow, had atrophied wings and did not shy away from humans. They laid their eggs on the ground, making them easy targets for predators such as rats and wild boar.
Also victims of hunting and the reduction of their natural habitat, they disappeared less than a century after the arrival of the first European settlers.

Today, the Dodo remains an important animal in the hearts of Mauritians. An emblem of Mauritius as a tourist destination, it has become a symbol of the fragility of the island's biodiversity. 

The fauna of Mauritius: incredible biodiversity on land and in the sea

In the heart of its forests and nature reserves, Mauritius is known for its large population of deer, mongooses, fruit bats and monkeys, such as the long-tailed macaque.

Mauritius is also home to a great diversity of birds with over 100 species, including endemic parrots and pigeons, over 2,000 species of insects and butterflies, and a myriad of small mammals and reptiles such as the Telfair Tarantula.

Finally, Mauritius' marine biodiversity is exceptionally rich, with more than 400 marine species present in its waters.

Among the most emblematic animal species of Mauritius are :

• Deer, native to the island of Java, introduced by the Dutch in the 17th century;
• Wild boar, known as brown pigs in Mauritius;
• Long-tailed Macaques, originally from Malaysia and introduced by the Portuguese. They can be found in the south of the country, in the Black River Gorges National Park, the Macchabée forest and the Champagne plains;
• Mongooses, which originated in India and were introduced to control the rat population in sugar cane fields. They are considered a nuisance because of their numbers and their impact on the fauna endemic to Mauritius;
• The Boulboul, an exotic bird easily recognisable by its black tuft and round silhouette;
• The Petite Câteau verte, an Asian parakeet common in Mauritian forests and gardens;
• The Cardinal of Madagascar or Foudi rouge, an exotic bird introduced by the French, with very bright red or yellow colours.

The wealth of endemic fauna in Mauritius

Because it is an island, Mauritius is home to only one endemic mammal: a bat known as the Mauritian flying fox.
But the exceptional richness of Mauritius‘ fauna lies in its endemic bird species, some of which are on the brink of extinction and have managed to survive in Mauritius’ last primary forests:

• The Cardinal of Mauritius or Banana Bird, which is characterised by the magnificent red plumage on the head and neck of the males during the mating season. Today, it can only be found in the primary forest of the Black River Gorges National Park or on Ile aux Aigrettes;
• The Wood cock, a small chestnut-coloured bird with a bright blue crest. It too survives only in a few isolated forests;
• The Mauritius Bulbul: this small songbird inhabits a variety of habitats, including forests, gardens and woodlands. The Mauritius Bulbul is threatened by the loss of natural habitat due to deforestation;
• The Mauritius Gecko: this small tree lizard is recognisable by its green colouring with red spots on its back. It can be found in the island's forests and wooded areas;
• Telfair Tarantula: this diurnal arboreal lizard is a subspecies endemic to Mauritius. It is found mainly in wooded and forested areas and is renowned for its bright colouring.
• Three other endemic species of Mauritius, threatened with extinction, have been able to survive thanks to the efforts of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation:
• The Pink Pigeon, recognisable by its distinctive pink colour. The Pink Pigeon is classified as vulnerable due to loss of natural habitat and predation by introduced species;
• The Grosse Câteau verte, or Collared Parakeet, which can be seen in the Black River Gorges National Park. From around ten individuals in 1986, there are now more than 500 on Mauritius;
• The Mauritius Kestrel, a type of falcon with a long tail and rounded wings.

The exceptional marine biodiversity of Mauritius

The marine biodiversity of Mauritius is exceptional: more than 400 different species inhabit Mauritian waters, making it a prime destination for observing marine life.
The lagoon and coral reefs that line the Mauritian coast are home to a multitude of colourful tropical fish: parrotfish, surgeonfish, triggerfish, clownfish, and many varieties of coral and anemones. There are also moray eels, sea turtles, rays, sharks and more.

Further offshore, several species of dolphin inhabit the waters of Mauritius: spinner dolphins, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and pantropical spotted dolphins. Sperm whales are also present all year round along the Mauritian coastline, and humpback whales can be seen during the winter months.

The richness and diversity of the flora of Mauritius

The flora of Mauritius has undergone profound changes as a result of intensive deforestation and soil exploitation. Despite its small size, the island has a wide variety of ecosystems, from tropical forests to coastal wetlands.
Although 25% of Mauritius is now forested, only 2% is primary forest, mainly in the Black River Gorges National Park, in the south-east of Mauritius and in some private estates.

The Mauritian Ebony trees are a perfect example: once widespread, their ebony wood was massively exploited by Dutch colonists, putting them on the endangered species list.

Other plant species endemic to Mauritius can also be seen:

• Bois de Natte, which grows in the island's rainforests. It is characterised by its long, narrow leaves, which were traditionally used to make mats and baskets;
• Bois Boeuf, also known as sponge wood, is threatened with extinction. Only a few specimens remain on Ile aux Aigrettes;
• Bois de Chandelle, found in dry forests and famous for its white flowers;
• Several species of palm native to the island are still widespread: the bottle palm, the elephant foot palm, the latania palm and the vacoas;
• The Trochetia Boutoniana, or Earring, was declared Mauritius' national flower in 1992. With its beautiful red-orange colour, it is only found in the wild on one mountain in Mauritius, but can also be seen in some of the island's gardens.

Other remarkable and protected flowers can be found in Mauritius: red anthurium, azaleas, frangipani and hibiscus flowers, bougainvilleas and orchids, for example. Last but not least, Mauritius is home to a wide variety of delicious tropical fruits such as pineapples, mangoes, guavas, papayas, coconuts and bananas - a real treat!

These numerous examples illustrate the diversity and richness of the fauna and flora of Mauritius, and underline the importance of conservation to preserve these unique treasures of nature.Protecting Mauritius' biodiversity has now become a priority for the country.

Efforts to protect Mauritian flora and fauna

Despite its ecological wealth, Mauritius faces a number of environmental challenges. The pressure exerted by urban development, deforestation and agriculture has led to the fragmentation of its natural habitats, endangering many Mauritian animal and plant species. Pollution, over-exploitation of natural resources and climate change are also major threats to the ecological balance of Mauritius.
Efforts to conserve Mauritius' flora and fauna are essential to protect these unique species.

Many local and international organisations are working in partnership with the Mauritian government to protect endangered species and remaining natural habitats, restore degraded ecosystems, reintroduce native species and raise public awareness of the importance of protecting Mauritius' flora and fauna.
The island's protected natural areas and botanical gardens also play a crucial role in preserving Mauritius's biodiversity.

Protecting natural areas in Mauritius

Mauritius is home to a number of protected areas, including nature reserves, national parks and marine areas.
These protected areas play a crucial role in preserving Mauritius' biodiversity by providing a safe habitat for endemic species, and by providing essential breeding sites for endangered species. They also offer visitors a unique opportunity to discover the natural wealth of Mauritius, while raising awareness of the importance of its conservation.

These protected areas include the following:

• The Gorges de la Rivière Noire National Park: this is the largest national park in Mauritius, covering 2% of its total surface area, alternating hills and lush forests. Very important for safeguarding Mauritian biodiversity, it is home to many endangered endemic species, as well as the last primary tropical forest in Mauritius. With more than 50 km of trails, the park is considered a hiker's paradise;
• Bras d'Eau National Park: created in 2011, it is home to a rich biodiversity, including two species of giant Mauritian Ebony trees and the Bois de Fer, as well as rare ferns and orchids.
• and orchids. The park is also a natural sanctuary for migratory birds;
• Bel Ombre Nature Reserve: also home to part of the island's last primary forest, as well as a wide variety of birds and reptiles endemic to Mauritius;
• Roberges Marine Park: this is the richest and most protected marine area on Mauritius. It is home to countless coral reefs teeming with tropical fish and sea turtles. The Roberges Marine Park is recognised as one of the best scuba diving sites in the world;
• Ile aux Aigrettes: this small island is a nature reserve created by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. It is famous for its beaches, but also for its incredible colonies of birds, turtles and iguanas;
• The Pamplemousse Garden: this internationally renowned botanical garden was the first to be created on Mauritius, in 1770. Its collection of plants is one of the most complete in the world, and it is one of the main places for the conservation of endemic Mauritian species, such as the giant Mauritian tortoise.

Conservation of endemic species and the Mauritian ecosystem

Faced with the degradation of the Mauritian ecosystem, ecological conservation efforts and reforestation projects are being carried out to restore natural habitats and recreate biological corridors for Mauritian wildlife. Native plant species are replanted, contributing to the island's natural diversity and preserving its unique ecosystem.

Mauritius pays particular attention to the conservation of its endangered endemic species. Captive breeding programmes are implemented for certain emblematic species, such as the Pink Pigeon and the Mauritius Gecko, in order to increase populations and reintroduce them into their natural habitat. In addition, measures are being taken to combat invasive species that threaten Mauritian biodiversity.

The role of the Maurician Wildlife Foundation

The Maurician Wildlife Foundation is the country's largest non-governmental organisation (NGO), dedicated exclusively to the conservation and preservation of Mauritius' endangered plant and animal species.
Working with local and international partners, the Maurician Wildlife Foundation's mission is to recreate lost ecosystems, saving some of the rarest species from extinction and restoring the native Mauritian forest.

The Foundation has played a key role in preventing the extinction of the Mauritius Kestrel, the Pink Pigeon and the Ring-necked Parakeet. It also plays a key role in environmental education and raising awareness among local people and visitors.

In conclusion, the fauna and flora of Mauritius represent an ecological treasure of inestimable value. Their conservation is essential not only to preserve the island's unique biodiversity, but also to ensure the well-being of future generations.

Discover the bioclimatic villas and ecolodge at Domaine d'Anbalaba

Domaine d'Anbalaba is the new place to live in harmony in the wild south of Mauritius.
By combining architecture and nature conservation, Domaine d'Anbalaba is a perfect example of the social and environmental approach that is essential to preserving Mauritius's flora and fauna.
It also stands out for its 15-hectare tropical nursery, which contains rare endemic plants and replants trees and plants moved for construction purposes.

The nursery is also where our Station A restaurant gets its direct supplies, so that we can offer you ever more authentic and natural Mauritian flavours.