This major project aims to rehabilitate and enhance islands for the maintenance of native biodiversity in Seychelles through eradication of introduced predator species, rehabilitation of habitats and reintroduction of rare or threatened species. The project is being led by Island Conservation Society in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Islands Development Company and others.
Eradicate introduced predator mammals and birds (rats, cat, Common Myna and Barn Owl) from three granitic islands and two coralline islands
Eliminate or control invasive plants and trees and replace them with indigenous species
Reintroduce a minimum of 6 rare or threatened species or sub-species (birds, reptiles, invertebrates), for a total of nine reintroductions.
The project is centred on conservation activities, but also includes scientific inventories and biodiversity monitoring activities, sourcing of equipment and development of infrastructure geared towards sustainable management of island ecosystems through scientific eco-tourism and local capacity-building.
At the end of the project, the selected islands, currently managed by the beneficiary NGO or the present owners, will be able to fund conservation and monitoring activities (prevention of re-infestation)
At least two of the currently uninhabited rehabilitated islands will have temporary presence of trained staff for monitoring and wardening.
The number of annual visitors for the overall selected islands will have increased by 25% between the start-up and the end of the project.
The number of staff trained in the fields of conservation, eradication of alien species, and rehabilitation of endemic species will be greater than 4, with 2 of them from local NGOs and 2 from the MENR.
The project’s development objective will be met through the implementation of 5 components:
This component aims to eradicate introduced predator mammals (rats & cats) and birds (Barn Owl and Myna) on granitic and coralline islands, whose impact on ecosystems (birds and invertebrates) is such that they threaten the conservation of endemic species unique in the world. Its objective is also the elaboration of strict measures of protection to prevent natural or accidental re-infestation.
Re-introduction of endemic species is the key component of the project. It will be achieved gradually, following a protocol defined by IUCN. This component will allow the re-introduction of a minimum of 6 endemic species: 3 birds, 2 insects, and 2,chelonians on various islands, for a total of 9 reintroductions. At the same time, complementary studies will be carried out on the taxonomy, the biology, ecology and status of species earmarked for re-introduction, as well as the scientific monitoring of the transferred populations and main groups of invertebrates and vertebrates, before, during and after operations, with the elaboration of long-term monitoring protocols.
The success of eradication and re-introduction activities must be followed by the creation or adaptation of infrastructures for lodging wardens and scientific staff, and for welcoming the public. At the same time, an efficient wardening system of the island will be undertaken in order to control boats and access to the islands. A proposal for a specific legal status will be made to the government authorities to guarantee in the long-term the eradication of rats.
This component will make it possible to meet the development objectives by reinforcing local capacity in the fields relating to the study of fauna and flora and to rehabilitation operations. 3 students (2 Seychellois and 1 French) will be selected as well as many technical staff. The two Seychellois students will take a Diplome d’Etudes Approfondies (1 may continue with a 3 year PhD in France). Training of technical staff will be centred on the study of flora and fauna, habitat improvement by elimination of invasive or predator exotic species (rat and cats among others), creation of walking trails, working as a bilingual (French-English) nature guide. Experience sharing of the project outputs will be enhanced through various local and regional activities. Public awareness activities will also be carried out through local media (newspapers, radio, TV).