BBC Wildlife - UK (2021-12)

Seychelles has fast become
a hotspot for amazing nature
walks. Also an ornithologist’s
paradise, several islands are
home to a total of 13 species
and 17 subspecies of bird found
nowhere else in the world.
Cousin and Aride islands, in
particular, are havens for birds,
and can be visited on day
trips. On Praslin, the famous
Seychelles black parrot can be
found flitting among the palms of
the Vallée de Mai while La Digue
hosts another rare endemic, the
paradise flycatcher.

Mahé’s forests are home to
the bare-legged scops owl,
thought to have been extinct

for more than a century, before

being rediscovered in 1959. In

addition to its giant tortoises,

other native reptiles that can be

found in the archipelago include

the Seychelles terrapin, tiger

chameleon, and several species

of skink and gecko. The only

native mammals in Seychelles

are bats: the Seychelles fruit bat

and sheath-tailed bat.

Marine life in Seychelles is

bountiful with marine parks

offering underwater delights.

The 44 Inner Islands offer some

of the best snorkelling spots

with an astonishing abundance

of fish, even on shallow inshore

reefs. As many as 800 marine

species can be found around

Aride island – plenty to look out

for on a dive.

There are several conservation

bodies working to integrate

sustainability practices in order

to safeguard the biodiversity and

culture of Seychelles.

Due to its extreme isolation, the

Seychelles’ ecological integrity

remains intact, providing visitors

with some of the most unique

experiences of the natural world.

Visit seychelles.com

for more information

Visit this Indian Ocean archipelago for

an extraordinary wildlife experience

DISCOVER THE

SECRETS OF

SEYCHELLES

December 2021 BBC WILDLIFE 83

Stroll along Anse Marie-Louise

beach, Grande Soeur island.

Clockwise from left: enjoy

colourful marine life and look

out for Seychelles endemics,

including the paradise

flycatcher, Wright’s gardenia

and magpie robin.

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