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Mauritius has (and had) a lot of unique sets of plants and animals. The flora of Mauritius is composed of 700 species of indigenous plants, and a number of these plants are threatened with extinction however the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation is working together with the National Parks and the Conservation and Forestry Services to protect the species and the forest for future generations. |
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Mauritius was formed by a volcano in the middle of the sea and the only way for plants and animals to colonize it was to journey through the air or sea. When man found the island they found an extraordinary collection of animals; giant flightless birds, giant tortoises and skinks and huge insects. But unfortunately over the last 250 years many have been hunted to extinction by man or exterminated through invasive species such as pigs and cats. A few species still exist deep in the forest or offshore islets, safe from these predators.
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In Mauritius, you can discover many hidden facets of the island, be they historical or cultural. The island displays immaculate beauty that nature has endowed. The fauna includes several rare birds such as the Kestrel, the Echo Parakeet, and the Pink Pigeon. |
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The Dodo and the Apteman are birds that are now extinct while other rare specimens still in Mauritius include the Round Island Geckoes, Ile Aux Aigrettes Geckoes and Aldabra tortoises. In Tamarin bay on the west coast, dolphins and other cetaceans can also be seen.
Of remarkable beauty, the tropical vegetation of Mauritius is remarkably rich. The Trochetia, the Mauritian national flower, is a protected variety, like many others. There are a great variety of palm trees that grow along the coast. The famous flamboyant, also known as "Bouquets Banané" (New Year bouquet) flowers during the months of November and December in the hotter regions. Their petals often form an enormous red carpet on the roads of the warmer villages in the north. The indigenous tropical vegetation includes the tatamaka, the colophane, the macaque, the bois noir and ebony.
Source: www.beachcomber.com
