We protect more than 160 native and endemic species
Mauritian forests were once alive with a cacophony of sounds from native wildlife. Dodos squawked, broad-billed parrots screeched, Mauritian pigeons coo-ed and giant tortoises grunted. Since human colonisation in the 16th century, we have lost more than 50 % of our endemic species. Of 27 known species of native land birds, 16 are now extinct. Of 17 known species of reptiles, five are now extinct. Of three species of fruit bats, only the Mauritian fruit bat has survived.
Mauritius has the most threatened island flora in the world in relation to its size. While oceanic islands such as Mauritius have fewer species than continental areas such as Africa, they tend to have a higher percentage of endemic species, unique and found nowhere else. Here at Ebony Forest we have found more than 160 native species we’re fighting for by working closely with schools, NGOs, funding organisations, government and private companies, to educate, restore, and protect our unique native flora and fauna.
Through Ebony Forest, we are carrying out a large number of activities to recreate a resilient ecosystem for our native species of plants and trees like the black ebony tree, bois corail and a variety of palms to thrive and to serve as a safe refuge for our threatened wildlife — Mauritius Kestrel, Echo Parakeet, Pink Pigeon, Mauritius Black Bulbul, Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher, snails like Pachystyla bicolor and numerous invertebrates.
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Mauritius endangered endemic snail, Pachystyla bicolor (left), Chassalia boryana, 'Mauritian Coral Tree' (right). Images credit: Ebony Forest.
Mauritius endangered endemic snail, Pachystyla bicolor (left), Chassalia boryana, 'Mauritian Coral Tree' (right). Images credit: Ebony Forest.
We won’t sit back and let this happen.
Biodiversity includes all the elements that make and hold our ecosystem together. If biodiversity is lost, our ecosystem will be less resistant and resilient. Biodiversity in Mauritius has been devastated. Less than 2% of the original forest remaining is native and this is decreasing day by day as invasive pests encroach on the homes of our native species. Since Mauritius was colonised by humans, poaching and logging, the introduction of exotic species and pollution have contributed to the loss of more than 50% of our endemic flora and fauna. We need to save and preserve what we have left so that other species don’t follow the same fate as the Dodo.
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Endemic Mauritius kestrel. Image credit: Ebony Forest.
There are no short-term fixes, and our conservation team of local men and women are the real heroes in our mission. They endure heat, rain and steep slopes to control invasive plants, monitor the situation, nurture seedlings, check traps and weed over and over again. It can be discouraging tasks but we’re already seeing great results. Our forest breathes life again but it’s fragile and its survival requires a long-term commitment from our people and our partners.
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan
When we started in 2006, we started from the ground up. The entire 50-hectare forest was invaded by exotic plants such as Chinese guava, tecoma, travellers’ trees, liane cerf and jamrosa. Today, half of the forest - 25 hectares - is under restoration!
It takes an incredible amount of work to restore and protect our fauna and flora.
We are in an endless race to control exotic (non-native) species, grow native and endemic plants from seed, seedlings and cuttings, then plant and monitor... and weed again. We also supply nest boxes for native species such as the Mauritius Kestrel and Echo Parakeet, and provide supplementary food for these birds because there isn’t enough, yet, available from natural sources.
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Today, half of the Ebony forest - 25 hectares - is under restoration. Image credit: Ebony Forest.
Work on habitat recovery allows the protection, feeding and increase in numbers of the island's unique and endemic invertebrates, birds, reptiles and Mauritius’ only mammals, bats. We aim to re-introduce more native birds and are already thrilled to have released 50 pink pigeons and 50 echo parakeets.
We’ve installed Goodnature traps to eradicate exotic species like rats, shrews (similar to mice), tenrecs (similar to hedgehogs) and mongoose that prey on our native flora and fauna. Predators are one of the main factors limiting the recovery of the forest. If we can overcome the problem of predators, the ecosystem will be restored more rapidly.
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Ebony forest team, from left to right: Christelle Ferriere, Nicholas Zuel, Adisha Sewdyal, Denis Li Lung Hok. Image credit: Goodnature.
Trapping plays a key part in restoring our forest.
In partnership with the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund we’ve been able to purchase 320 A24 Goodnature traps and we plan on installing 510 more traps soon.
We chose Goodnature’s self-resetting traps because they can be left for months in the field to kill multiple predators without anyone needing to check them. Goodnature’s traps are highly effective and resource efficient so they save us money.
Over time and with the support of Goodnature Global Conservation manager Darren Peters, we’ve learnt that the automatic resetting traps are more effective when we install them in a grid of 25 metres x 25 metres in a tropical climate – compared to the 50 metres x 50 metres usually recommended in temperate climates. To increase the chances of a rat encountering a trap, the grid must be tighter in tropical forests, likely due to conditions which naturally foster numerous and nearby food sources that will sustain high rodent populations throughout the year.
We monitor the efficacy of our trapping grid every two weeks. We have a zone with traps and a control zone without traps. We use cameras pointed at the traps, and it is very encouraging to know that only 10% of cameras in the zone with traps are detecting rats.
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Mauritius Paradise Fly catcher. Image credit: Ebony Forest.
“Conservation is humanity caring for the future” - Nancy Newhall
Finding funds to pay for the people-power we need is one of our biggest challenges but small acts of kindness go a long way. We welcome international and local volunteers for up to 6 months. They play a vital role in helping us achieve our conservation goals. People from all over the world visit Ebony Forest annually. Some enjoy watching birds or hiking while others appreciate the chance to plant trees. Proceeds from our visitors and donations are vital to support our conversation work.
It’s important that we raise awareness of biodiversity by engaging with primary and secondary schools too. The forest becomes a classroom for our nature education programmes. We inspire children to learn about nature by being in nature. It’s really satisfying to know that their experience with Ebony Forest is helping them grow into active global citizens, and ultimately creating a more sustainable future for us all.
