The 1st wildlife day was celebrated around the world on Monday, 3rd March 2014, the day adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2013 to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. “Wildlife is integral to our future through its essential role in science, technology and recreation. It is intrinsic to our continued heritage and sustainable development,” the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said during this year’s celebration.
Here in Seychelles we have much to celebrate. We are endowed with a unique environment that harbours a special biodiversity. Our granitic and coral islands are home to many species that are found nowhere else, our waters are home to a stunning array of marine life.
Some of our wildlife like the Aldabra giant tortoise are loved around the world. We have stunning endemic birds such as the Seychelles paradise flycatcher and the Seychelles Blue Pigeon, which eats the fruits of the Ficus tree, sometimes falling off drunk from branches and causing us much hilarity.
A very unusual endemic family of frogs called Sooglossids calls our islands home. Did you know that the smallest species of these frogs, the Sooglossus gardeneri, measures just about 9-12 mm long and that newly emerged juveniles measure only 1.6 mm long, and are literally almost too small to see?
We have earned a reputation as a relatively unspoiled haven for people and wildlife, and have been celebrated for our protection efforts.
Our conservation success stories have been an example to the world. Small island restoration efforts, such as those on Cousin Island and elsewhere, have been rewarding, with wildlife habitats recovered and some of the most endangered species that depend on them rescued.
We have proved that, through conservation programs – a number of which were led by Nature Seychelles – we can save wildlife on the brink of extinction. Some of our endemic birds have been pushed down on the World Conservation Union’s Red List as a result of conservation programs.
The Seychelles warbler which, was critically endangered in the 1960’s, has been down-listed from ‘Critically Endangered’ to ‘Vulnerable’, with efforts now directed to pushing it down further to ‘Near Threatened’, the first time this will have been achieved though conservation action for such a highly threatened bird!
In 1970 there were only 25 surviving Seychelles magpie robin and all on one island. Through an active conservation program the total number of birds has risen significantly to 260 on five islands leading to the bird being down-listed to ‘Endangered’ in 2005.
But there is still much to do. Our environment and wildlife remains under pressure in a variety of forms.
During this year, which is also celebrating the diversity and uniqueness of Small Island Developing States, let us show the world we are proud of our wildlife and we are working to keep it safe. Let’s go wild for wildlife.
Photos: Left – Seychelles blue pigeon. Right – Seychelles warbler (© Dave Rogers) Discover wildlife on Cousin Island Special Reserve