Mauritius: A Tropical Paradise in Distress

MV Wakashio Oil Spill Relief Efforts

The Japanese freighter ‘MV Wakashio’ ran aground on Mauritius’ coral reefs on Saturday 25th of July 2020.

It remained stuck and started breaking apart 12 days later on Thursday 6 August, releasing 1000 of its 4000 tons of heavy bunker fuel into the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean, as a large gash appeared on the side of the vessel.

Mauritius has declared a state of environmental emergency, and the French government has sent technical support to assist with the disaster response. In addition, independently-organized local volunteers have been working to clean up and protect beaches with improvised materials.

Since then NGOs, volunteers and the government efforts are carrying out salvage operations using small tourist boats, simple fishing vessels and home made  oil booms  made from clothing, plastic bottles sugarcane leaves.

The community has shown an unprecedented willingness to donate their time and resources to limit this unprecedented ecological disaster. Even in some instances, donating their hair to construct oil booms.

A smaller number of volunteer had also been working with the local environmental NGOs to evacuate endangered species to safer parts of the island, until the full extent of the damage on Ile Aux Aigrettes and surrounding areas can be assessed.


Threatened Natural Protected Areas

The MV Wakashio crashed on the pristine reefs of Mauritius next to one of its  most protected atolls . This protected coral atoll, Ile aux Aigrettes, contains  species not found anywhere else  on the island or in the world.

Already the oil spill has started to surround this atoll, the large fringing reef (one of Mauritius’ best preserved having survived waves of  coral bleaching  impacting other parts of the Indian Ocean), and is drifting simultaneously toward the  historic Port City of Mahebourg , famous for its  naval Napoleonic battles , the  National Marine Park of Blue Bay  and North toward  other protected coral atolls .

You can navigate this map and generate an informational popup by clicking on the two following areas:


How can you help?

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND AN ANIMAL AFFECTED BY OIL?

Do not attempt to clean the animal yourself. This is a specialist task and you may cause irreparable damage if you try to remove the oil. It is advised to call NPCS to deal with the animal (see contact details in next slides) but if it is not practical in the circumstances and you decide to pick up the bird please take great care.

OILED SEABIRDS

To be sent to the National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS)

Cleaning centre: Visitors Centre, Bras d’Eau National Park, Poste Lafayette

Contact: 57892013 and 52511984

24 Hour service

Steps to handle the bird:

  1. Pick the bird up gently by placing your hands around the body of the bird so that your thumbs are on the back behind the neck.
  2. Make sure that the wings are naturally folded under your hands. You must wear gloves if the bird is oily.
  3. The bird will be stressed and scared and is most likely to try and bite.
  4. Place the bird in a container, such as a cardboard box or pet carrier. It is best if you can close the container or place a sheet of material over the top of the container.
  5. Being in the semi dark will help to calm the bird. Please make some holes in the cardboard box to help ventilation. 3 holes about 2 cms diameter on each side is best. Please use a separate container for each bird.

OILED TURTLES

To be sent to Fisheries Service

Deliver to: Blue Bay Marine Park Centre, Blue Bay

Cleaning centre: Albion Fisheries Centre, Albion

Contact: 5915 1351, 238 49 25

If you are able to take the oiled turtle to the Fisheries Service in Blue Bay yourself, please do so.

You can also take the oiled turtle to the MWF office opposite Ile aux Aigrettes at Pointe Jerome (office hours only) or call 5473 0103 or 5258 8139 for assistance if you have no transport or are uncertain what to do.

You can also call NPCS 57892013 and 52511984 who will assist.

Step to handling a turtle:

  1. Do not attempt to clean the turtle yourself. This is a specialist task and you may cause irreparable damage if you try to remove the oil.
  2. Pick the turtle up gently and place in a container to transport to the cleaning centre.
  3. The turtle will be stressed. You can use a cardboard box or pet carrier.
  4. It is best if you can close the container or place a sheet of material over the top of the container.
  5. Being in the semi dark will help to calm the turtle. Please make some holes in the cardboard box to help ventilation. 3 holes about 2 cms diameter on each side is best.

If you find several turtles it is best if they can each be in a separate container.


Your safety first!

Even though you might be eager to help and be proactive your safety comes first!


Together let's protect our critically Endangered species and precious ecosystem

Mauritius Olive-White Eye

Mauritius Olive White-eye

Zosterops chloronothus 

The Olive White-eye has suffered chronically from continuing habitat destruction and degradation as a result of invasion by exotic plants. Between 2007 and 2010, a translocation enabled the establishment of a small sub-population on Ile aux Aigrettes, and birds have since successfully fledged young there every breeding season since 2008/09.

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Click here to listen to the song of the Mauritius Olive White-eye


For more information on relief efforts

Photo & Content Credits

In order of Appearance

Cover

Image: Jean Aurelio Prudence | Credit: AFP

Slides

Image: Eric Villars; ; Image: AFP via Getty Images; Image: Laura Morosoli/EPA; Image: Mauritian Wildlife Foundation; Content:  Nishan 

Threatened Natural Protected Areas

Content:  Nishan 

How can you help?

Content: MWF & Eco-sud; Image: Tass/Barcroft Media; Image:  Veronique Couttee  

Your Safety First

Content & Image: Eco-Sud

Together let's protect our critically endangered Species

Content: IUCN; Image: Dubi Shapiro; Sound: © Hans Matheve

StoryMap Created by

Mauritius Olive-White Eye