Ile aux Aigrettes, a nature reserve
In the bay of Mahebourg, about 850 metres off the south-east coast of Mauritius, there is a unique islet, which has been declared as nature reserve in 1965 and is preserved by the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation; the Ile aux Aigrettes. Follow us to enjoy the portrayal of a marvelously unique and unforgettable escape.
Description of the Ile aux Aigrettes
The islet is a small wonder of 26 hectares surrounded by a crystalline lagoon in a glowing shade of turquoise blue. Unlike Mauritius, which was was formed by several volcanoes, The Ile aux Aigrettes is made of coral limestone. The islet houses what remains of the dry coastal forest that once surrounded almost the whole of the Mauritius island. It is the sanctuary of rare species of native animals and plants in danger of extinction, among its residents are the famous Kestrel, the only prey bird in Mauritius, the Pink Pigeon, the Aldabrala giant turtle and the famous Gecko, endangered since long but saved by the actions of the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation. The ruins, precisely a cannon and old buildings, bear witness to the French and British presence on the island during the colonial period.
The Ecotour
Visit Ile aux Aigrettes for an eco-friendly outing. The Mauritius Wildlife Foundation encourages visitors to take part in their island tour, so that the group can raise awareness as much as possible about the preservation of the Mauritian fauna and flora. The standard visit , which is the 'Ecotour', lasts about 1 and a half to 2 hours and takes you on a trail which goes through the island's landmarks. You will be accompanied by a qualified forest warden who will introduce you to the island's endemic plants and rare animals. Most of the species can only be found on nowhere else but Ile aux Aigrettes. The guide will share his knowledge of the region and the history of the island. On the way back you may visit the museum of extinct species and also the souvenir shop to support the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation and help preserve this jewel that this islet is.
A Personalised Tour
A private tour of the island can be organised for the greatest nature lovers who want to have plenty of time to discover the island's diversity or other special activities such as photography and bird watching. The Mauritius Wildlife Foundation has also set up an education programme called "Learning with Nature". This programme is specifically designed for students, so as to show them what conservation is and at the same time help them with the subjects they are studying. Throughout the visit, students will be introduced to the local fauna and flora and the conservation process in accordance with their science curriculum.
We end the exploration with a bit of general knowledge. The name of the island has been inspired by a colony of egrets that had taken up residence there. Egrets are fishing birds with long legs.
The Mauritius Wildlife Foundation, which obtained a long-term lease to implement the conservation in 1987, has done a complete restoration of the fauna and flora Still very vulnerable, Ile aux Aigrettes is a treasure that must be preserved.
