Mauritius is a country renowned for its hundreds of rare endemic species. From fruit bats to reptiles, the island is rich in biodiversity. Most famously, it was once the home of the dodo bird, which was hunted to extinction in the 1600s. Today, more animals are at risk due to habitat loss and climate change. Vikash Tatayah and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) are ensuring that no more iconic species suffer the same fate in the 21st century.
As the conservation director for the MWF, Tatayah has been protecting and preserving indigenous flora and fauna for over 20 years. The MWF has operated as the only non-governmental organisation of its kind on the island, working to repopulate its natural inhabitants. “We’ve lost a good proportion of our biodiversity, and now our work is to save what is left,” Tatayah says. They have already had success with a number of species. Through conservation efforts, Tatayah and his team have restored the Mauritius kestrel, echo parakeet, and bois papaye plant.
By collaborating with locals to promote conservation and sustainability, the MWF has united a group of people that fights for the environment. Creating allies out of everyday Mauritians, they are driving the future of conservation on the island. “Mankind cannot let any species go extinct,” Tatayah says. “The work that we are doing is far bigger than one’s lifetime.”
Footage by Nik Cole, Jacques de Spéville, and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation was used in the creation of this film.
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