Mauritian Wildlife Foundation

• 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.

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.

• To save threatened Mauritian species through the restoration of entire ecosystems.
• To seek new information through field research, data management, studies on endemic species and scientific collaboration for direct application to restoration methods and management. 
• To share knowledge gained through restoration programmes with fellow Mauritian and international conservationists. 
• To share the joys and benefits of native wilderness and wildlife with the Mauritian people. 
• To secure the future of Mauritian species through income generated and sound management of human, fiscal and capital resources.
• Our hands-on conservation projects are carried out in Mauritius including the offshore islets and Rodrigues. We work closely with local and international partners, with the long-term aim of recreating lost ecosystems by saving some of our rarest species from extinction and restoring the native forest.
• Another important part of our work is to raise awareness about conservation issues through our education programme.

• The work carried out in Mauritius is one of the world's most successful conservation stories. This is due to MWF's restoration work started in the 1970s, which has succeeded in rescuing the Mauritius Kestrel, Echo Parakeet and Pink Pigeon, from the brink of extinction.
• We also develop protocols for the rescue of native plant species and we work in Rodrigues restoring the flora and fauna, replanting the native forest.
• MWF has been actively involved with island restoration in particular on Ile aux Aigrettes and Round Island, both of which contain highly threatened biodiversity of global importance. These conservation efforts will benefit future generations of Mauritians.
• MWF promotes local capacity building and provides local employment through its activities. MWF continues to flourish as a strong, vibrant and innovative organisation.

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%