Set in the tropical forests of Black River
Gorges National Park and fed by two
rivers, the St Denis and the Viande Salee,
the Chamarel Waterfall is the highest in
Mauritius. Millions of years of erosion
carved out the deep valley through which
the falls flow, culminating in a spectacular
drop of over 300ft. Meanwhile, on Île
aux Aigrettes, a small island located just
off the southeast coast, conservationists
like Rose Marie Pierre are working with
the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation to
help restore the island’s ecosystems,
which have long been compromised by
the presence of invasive species and
environmental exploitation. These efforts
have led to an increase in the numbers of
certain threatened species, such as the
colourful Mauritius fody. The country
is conscious of species loss: the dodo, a
giant flightless bird that became extinct
in the 17th century, is widely recognised
as the national emblem and serves as an
important cautionary tale.
maropa
(Maropa)
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