Mauritius: The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation

The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation is a non-governmental organisation which implements projects on plant conservation and habitat restoration both in Mauritius and Rodrigues. It is primarily concerned about the conservation and preservation of endemic plants and animal species (birds, reptiles etc).

The ecosystem is being destroyed due to urbanisation. Only 1.5 % of the Mauritian land serves as appropriate habitat for endemic species. The aim of the organisation is to raise awareness of the devastating impact that human activities may have on nature.

In l’Ile Ronde, the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation team has worked to restore the habitats of endangered species. It employed strategies so as to control and decrease the number of predators preying on these species. The team has also implemented projects in Ile aux Aigrettes.

The team has been working on awareness campaigns which target children and youngsters as they are the future of tomorrow. Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has set up the Rodrigues Environmental Education Programme. It educates children in Rodrigues on the ecosystem. It organises educational tours in Ile aux Aigrettes and promotes ecotourism in Rodrigues.

The organisation has been able to restore the habitats of endemic species and to increase the number of these species.

Details on funding:

• 40% local CSR
• 20% ecotours activities
• 10% non-CSR funds
• 25% international funds
• 5% Government

The organisation conducts daily monitoring of species and has supplementary feeding programs, and a predator and disease management.

Generally, Mauritians do not seem to be conscious of the devastating impact that their actions may have on nature. This problem is being tackled through awareness campaigns and educational programmes.

The organisation’s projects on Environment Education and its ecotours have led into a change in perception.