Twenty years of conservation work on Ile aux Aigrettes was celebrated on the 9th December 2006 by an official release of 39 Tefair skinks (Leiolopisma telfairii) & of 4 Olive White-eyes (Zosterops chloronothos) on the predator free island Ile aux Aigrettes, south of Mauritius. The Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade & Regional Co-operation Mr. Dulloo, did the releases. The event evoked lots of local interest.
The Chester Zoo, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust & MWF hand-rearing team successfully reared four Olive White-eyes in the 2005-2006 season when the contents of two nests were rescued. Eggs from wild nests of Olive White-eyes were also rescued during this breeding season in the mainland forest & were brought down tothe *GDEWS. The eggs hatched & the chicks were fed by hand. Four of these chicks were released on 9th of
December. A small number of Olive White-eyes may stay at the *GDEWS aviary to establish a captive population of birds to provide an additional source of birds for further introduction programmes, whilst allowing parallel captive studies to gain a better understanding of the species biology and management requirements.
*Gerald Durrell Endemic Wildlife Sanctuary
Eco Eco-Tourism
Ile aux Aigrettes at the first SETIL (Salon du Tourisme des Iles de Locean Indien) held on the 9th and 10th October 2006). This event, held at the Swami Vivekananda International Centre at Pailles Mauritius, had the participation of many local travel agents & tour operators as well as those from other countries in the Indian Ocean. Ile aux Aigrettes was marketed at this International travel fair. More tourists are today attracted to activities related to Eco tourism showing indigenous fauna and flora. It is largely recognised that Ile aux Aigrettes has all necessary ingredients to lead the way forward in conservation education awareness in Mauritius.
For more information, feel free to contact us at http://www.mauritian-wildlife.org.