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Mauritian Wildlife Foundation

The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) is the only NGO in Mauritius exclusively focused on the conservation of terrestrial endemic species and their habitats. In Rodrigues, MWF specialises in habitat restoration. The primary objective of the organisation is to prevent the extinction of threatened native and endemic species through dedicated conservation efforts.

 

Accreditation Number with the National Social Inclusion Foundation: N/1070

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Services offered
  • Conservation and Education Initiatives:

In addition to implementing fauna and flora conservation programmes, the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) organises EcoTours of Île aux Aigrettes and Grande Montagne, which are open to the public. The organisation also runs educational programmes in Mauritius and Rodrigues to raise awareness among local youth about environmental issues and conservation science.

 

Our Projects

  • Rare Plants and Islets Restoration:

Forests are natural habitats for endemic birds and reptiles. MWF undertakes several habitat restoration projects to support the preservation of these species. This active management programme also contributes to the protection of rare endemic trees and plants.

  • Bird Conservation:

Over the past 33 years, dedicated staff and volunteers have achieved significant results in saving endemic birds. Species such as the Mauritius Kestrel, Pink Pigeon, and Echo Parakeet have been rescued from the brink of extinction. Efforts are also made to address the declining populations of the Mauritius Fody, Mauritius Olive White-eye, and Mauritius Cuckoo-shrike. MWF strives to ensure that no other endemic bird joins the list of extinct species.

  • Reptiles and Seabirds:

Endemic reptiles, once abundant in Mauritius, now mainly survive on small predator-free islets surrounding the mainland. MWF works to preserve these reptiles and carries out conservation efforts for seabirds, which play a crucial role in coastal ecologies. The tortoise rewilding project aims to restore the interactions between tortoises and plants, supporting forest regeneration by acting as browsers, grazers, and seed dispersers.

  • Rodrigues Conservation Programme

For over 25 years, MWF has been involved in the restoration of natural reserves in Rodrigues, sustaining its conservation efforts on the island.

  • Education

MWF believes that the long-term survival of endangered native biodiversity depends on educating Mauritian and Rodriguan children and raising public environmental awareness. A key focus is on human-wildlife cohabitation to ensure the survival of species such as the endemic Mauritius fruit bat.

 

Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries of these initiatives include local schools, the local public, and tourists.

History

The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) is a registered charity (No. 2143) established in 1984. MWF works closely with the Government of Mauritius and the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, with formalized agreements in place. The headquarters are located in Vacoas, Mauritius, with a branch in Solitude, Rodrigues.

Objectives
  • To save threatened Mauritian species through the restoration of entire ecosystems.
  • To seek new information through field research, data management, captive studies, and scientific collaboration for direct application to restoration methods and management.
  • To share knowledge gained from restoration programmes to both Mauritian and international conservationists.
  • To share the joys and benefits of native wilderness and wildlife with the Mauritian people.
  • To secure sustainability and ensure the future of Mauritian species through income generation and effective management of human, fiscal, and capital resources.
Main achievements

The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) has played a major role in saving the country's critically threatened birds and plants from extinction, gaining international recognition for these efforts.

 

MWF has been a catalyst in working with private, public, and community stakeholders to promote sustainable development through its nature conservation programmes.

 

One of the best-known achievements is saving the Mauritian Kestrel. In recent years, MWF has also brought the Pink Pigeon, Echo Parakeet, and Mauritius Fody back from the brink of extinction. The foundation's work in captive-breeding and hands-on wild management of endemic animals is internationally renowned.

 

MWF's expertise extends to Rodrigues, addressing habitat degradation by propagating native plants in nurseries and planting them to restore vegetation communities.

 

The foundation actively restores offshore islands by removing exotic vertebrates and plants and restoring native vegetation and vertebrate communities.

 

MWF is currently working on several islands, including Île aux Aigrettes, Round Island, Île aux Cocos, and Île aux Sables. These high-profile projects are of national and global biological significance.

Sources of funding

As a non-profit organisation, the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation operates on various funding sources:

  • CSR Funds: 45%
  • International Donations: 25%
  • Individual Donations and Own Funds (EcoTours and Shop Sales): 25%
  • Government Support: 5%