The Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, the Durrell Conservation Training Ltd (DCT) and the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation (MWF) reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate and work together during an official signature ceremony for the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Thursday, at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port Louis.
Signatories were the Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry, Mr Medha Gunputh, the Training Coordinator of DCT, Mrs Aurélie Henshaw, and the Conservation Director of the MWF, Dr Vikash Tatayah.
The Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin, the Director of the National Parks and Conservation Service, Mr Kevin Ruhomaun, and other personalities were present on this occasion.
In a statement, Minister Gobin highlighted Government’s commitment in the conservation efforts regarding the local fauna and flora, not only in Mauritius and Rodrigues but also on our islets, outer islands, and in the future, on the Chagos Archipelago. He emphasised that the Chagos Archipelago is a biodiversity hotspot and seized this opportunity to invite DCT experts to start focussing on the conservation projects that can be implemented in that area and in the region of St Brandon.
For her part, Mrs Henshaw underlined the importance for DCT to set up a training hub in Mauritius so as to increase training for Mauritian conservationists, as well as for those of the South-West region of the Indian Ocean. Training, she observed, is essential so that conservationists can be equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to carry out effective work and save more species from extinction.
As for Dr Tataya, he dwelt on the longstanding cooperation between the MWF and the DCT. He highlighted that several conservation projects have been completed and informed that a number of training sessions are currently in the pipeline.
It is recalled that the MoU was signed between the three Parties with a view to establishing a cooperation framework through the collaboration in providing training programmes designed to equip conservation professionals, including the new entrants to the profession both within and outside Mauritius, with the skills they require to continue and improve on current conservation practices. This MoU also reflects the work that has started since the early 2010’s by the DCT, through the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, in Mauritius so as to increase their efforts in training conservation staff that will further support conservation work.
The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (previously known as Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust) was founded in 1958 by the renowned English naturalist and author, Dr Durrell, on the Channel Island of Jersey (UK). He also established the Jersey Zoo, now known as Durrell Wildlife Park, in Jersey.
The DWCT has established long term partnership with the MWF and the Mauritian Government to implement several conservation projects in Mauritius so as to save endangered biodiversity. These include: a Reptile Conservation Project initiated since 2006; several birds conservation projects regarding, for instance, the Mauritian Kestrel, the Pink Pigeon, the Echo Parakeet and the Olive White Eye; the captive breeding of rare reptiles, namely orange tailed skinks and nactus geckos, in Jersey Zoo; training of conservation staff of the Forestry Service, the National Parks and Conservation Service and the MWF through Durrell Conservation Academy; restoration and conservation activities on Round Island; and conservation projects on Ile aux Aigrettes.
