Mauritius has 300 km of coral reefs, which are like underwater cities full of fish, turtles, and sea creatures. But over 50% of these reefs have been damaged.
Hotter oceans making corals turn white (this is called coral bleaching!).
Too much pollution from hotels, boats, and plastic waste.
Overfishing, which harms fish and the coral itself.
If corals die, fish lose their homes and the ocean becomes less healthy.
Coral nurseries grow baby corals and plant them back on reefs.
Blue Bay Marine Park protects coral by limiting fishing and pollution.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) help control human activity near coral reefs.
Local conservation groups organize reef cleanups to remove plastic waste.
Mauritius was once covered in thick forests, but today only 2% of the island’s original forests remain! Many native trees depend on animals to spread their seeds, but since the dodo and giant tortoises went extinct, some plants can no longer grow naturally. 28% of native fruits are now at risk because there are no animals left big enough to eat them!
Many native trees can’t grow anymore because they depend on animals to spread their seeds. Since the dodo and giant tortoises went extinct, some trees are now at risk of disappearing forever.
28% of native fruits are no longer being spread by animals because no large fruit eaters are left!
57% of Mauritius’ tree species are critically endangered, meaning they could disappear soon.
Forest restoration projects are planting native trees to bring back lost habitats.
Nature reserves like Île aux Aigrettes protect endangered species like the pink pigeon and Mauritius kestrel.
Mauritian flying foxes (giant fruit bats) are being protected because they are the last big fruit eaters left, helping spread tree seeds.
Aldabra giant tortoises have been introduced to some areas to take over the lost role of the extinct Mauritian tortoises.
Mangroves are super trees that grow in salty water! Their twisty roots make great homes for baby fish and crabs. But in Mauritius, many mangroves have been cut down to build hotels and roads.
Without mangroves, coastal villages can flood more easily.
Less fish means less seafood for people who depend on fishing.
Mangroves store 5x more carbon than regular trees, so cutting them makes climate change worse!
Thousands of mangrove trees have been planted to stop erosion and restore lost forests.
Eco-tours help visitors learn about mangroves while protecting them.
Fishing communities are helping plant new trees and care for mangrove nurseries.
Mauritius is called a biodiversity hotspot because over 80% of its reptiles, birds, and flowering plants are found nowhere else on Earth! It has:
Mauritius is called a biodiversity hotspot because over 80% of its reptiles, birds, and flowering plants are found nowhere else on Earth! It has:
Mauritius is called a biodiversity hotspot because over 80% of its reptiles, birds, and flowering plants are found nowhere else on Earth! It has:
A long time ago, pink pigeons were everywhere in Mauritius. But as people cut down forests and brought rats and monkeys to the island, the pigeons started to disappear. By 1990, there were only 10 left in the world!
Malta is a small island, but it’s home to some incredible animals and plants that are found nowhere else. Sadly, some of these species are endangered, which means they are at risk of disappearing forever.
Let’s explore Malta’s nature and learn about the amazing creatures that live here and how we can protect them!
SUNx Malta is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to Climate Friendly Travel (Paris 1.5, SDGs, and Nature Positive tourism). Dodo4Kids is one of our educational initiatives, inspiring young travelers to explore the world responsibly through stories, activities, and gamified learning.
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