Fly me to Ferney Press Communiqué The Echo Parakeet, Mauritian endangered bird finds a new home at La Vallée de Ferney The official release of the Echo Parakeet (also known as la grosse câteau verte ) was held at la Vallée de Ferney on Wednesday 13th April 2016, in presence of Hon. Mahen Seeruttun, Minister of Agro- Industry and Food Security. Ferney is a unique site with exquisite and picturesque scenery where one can enjoy remnants of good quality native forest on the mountain range of the East Coast of Mauritius The release of the Echo Parakeet is part of the project: Optimising La Vallée de Ferney as a Mauritian biodiversity conservation and awareness hotspot. With the support of the GEF Small Grants Programme of the United Nations Development Programme,the project has been implemented by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) in partnership with the Vallée de Ferney Conservation Trust, a public- private partnership between the Government of Mauritius and CIEL Limited and the National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS). This project is in line with the mission of the MWF and NPCS to ensure a sustainable management and restoration of native terrestrial Mauritian fauna and flora to retain its genetic biodiversity for future generations by Improving the quality of 9 ha of forest Providing the habitat and reintroducing endemic bird species (Echo Parakeet, Pink Pigeon, Mauritius Cuckoo- Shrike and Mauritius Paradise Fly- Catcher) Managing the existing Mauritius Kestrel population. In 2016, 29 Echo Parakeets have been released and 16 of them are currently living in La Vallée de Ferney. The aim is to transform La Vallée de Ferney into a healthy and suitable habitat for the Echo Parakeets with a prime objective to reach at least 60 resident breeding birds in the coming years. Currently, 700 birds are censored on the island, a leap from the 20 or so birds in the 70s and 80s.
The Minister of Agro Industry and Food Secutity, Mahen Seeruttun stated that: if these endemic birds still exist in the wild today, unlike our most famous but extinct Dodo, it is greatly due to the decades of conservation works and efforts of both the Government and all the partners concerned, especially the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation...The Government, is sparing no effort to give a better protection of our native habitats and our endemic fauna and flora. Such public private collaboration is much need and has to be encouraged if we want Mauritius to be a sustainable country economically and ecologically. Arnaud Dalais, Chairman of the Vallée de Ferney Conservation Trust and CIEL Limited stated this event is a major and encouraging step in our aim to preserve and enhance the Mauritian biodiversity. We have an ongoing commitment to support the environment and particularly la Vallée de Ferney, the sanctuary of the Mauritian biodiversity. Today is not only the official release of birds, but also the celebration of men and women who believe in sustainable development and fully commit themselves to environmental causes. Pamela Bapoo- Dundoo, National Coordinator, GEF Small Grants Programme implemented by the UNDP mentioned: the range of people who have been closely involved in this project varies from labourers, to conservationists, eco- guides, students and scholars. As a matter of fact this project has provided generous opportunity to all these people to acquire new skills and techniques with regard to conservation management areas and to captive breeding of birds. It has provided several green jobs as well. Deborah de Chazal, Executive Director, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, expressed her satisfaction that the conservation project at La Vallée de Ferney is growing from strength to strength. This can only be due to the close collaboration between the owners of the site, funders of the project and the conservation partners including the National Parks and Conservation Service. It is great to see that La Vallée de Ferney is becoming a biodiversity hotspot of threatened Mauritian plants and animals and above all is open for visitors to enjoy. The captive breeding and first release of Echo Parakeets back into the wild was amongst the first projects the GEF Small Grants Programme funded MWF for back in 1996. The techniques developed then have been used in many other projects and shared with many countries around the world. The total cost of the Ferney conservation project is MRU 19 m spread over four years. Funding is provided by the GEF Small Grants Programme- UNDP, CIEL group, and other partners - Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (DWCT), North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo) and HSBC. The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation is the grantee of this project and
undertakes or oversees the conservation activities, which range from endemic bird reintroduction and management, plant conservation and habitat restoration and conservation education. There is close cooperation with the government s National Parks and Conservation Service in some aspects of the project. - End- More information on the Echo Parakeet http://www.cielgroup.com/sites/default/files/echo_parakeets_kit.pdf About The Vallée de Ferney Conservation Trust The Vallee de Ferney Conservation Trust represents a public- private partnership between the Government of Mauritius and CIEL Group that came into existence in 2006. The Trust is dedicated to the restoration and protection of the natural habitats contained within the reserve. In January 2013, The Trust and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further develop the conservation management of the valley and of its endemic species. GEF Small Grants Programme The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) approved in 2013 its first Strategic Funding project for Mauritius to the tune of MRU 4,5 M (USD150,000) : «Optimising the Ferney Valley into a Mauritian biodiversity conservation and awareness hotspot».the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme provides to civil society organizations in 126 countries. Grants are provided in the following GEF focal areas: mitigation of climate change, conservation of biodiversity, protection of international waters, reduced impact of chemicals and Persistent Organic Pollutants, prevention of land degradation, and promotion sustainable forest management. SGP also seeks to generate sustainable livelihoods, reduce poverty, and create community empowerment. Its Strategic Funding window allows
for creation of greater impact and closer links between local efforts and global environmental benefits. CIEL Limited CIEL Limited is a leading diversified investment company in Mauritius, operating five business clusters (Agro- Industry and Property, Textile, Hotels and Resorts, Financial services and Healthcare) spread across Mauritius, Africa and Asia with 27,000 employees. Since its beginnings in agriculture in 1912, the pioneering group is continuously exploring new avenues of development and international expansion. In 2014, following the merger of one of its investment companies, CIEL Investment Ltd, into the Group s holding company, Deep River Investment Ltd, the group was renamed CIEL Limited. CIEL has an ongoing commitment to support the Vallée de Ferney, an area of privately owned land in the Bambous Mountains that is among the largest and most important reserves of native wildlife in Mauritius. The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation is the only non- governmental organization (NGO) in Mauritius to be exclusively concerned with the conservation of the endangered endemic plants and animals of Mauritius. MWF s mission is to save threatened Mauritian species through the restoration of entire ecosystems, to seek new information through field research, data management, captive studies 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 and to secure the future of Mauritian species through income generation and sound management of human, fiscal and capital resources. 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 organization.
National Parks and Conservation Service The National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) of the Ministry of Agro- Industry were established in 1994 under the Wildlife and National Parks Act (1993) with the mandate to protect our terrestrial native flora and fauna. The mission of the NPCS is also to ensure the sustainable management and restoration of native terrestrial Mauritian fauna and flora for the future generations with a prime vision that people in Mauritius enjoy a healthy environment and an enhanced quality of life. Among the key achievements of the NPCS are the Protected Area Network Project, Species Conservation and the establishment of the Bras D Eau National Park. Contact Media Ian Dindoyal Corporate Communication Officer Ciel Corporate Services Ltd 5th Floor, Ebène Skies, Rue de l'institut, Ebène 80817, Mauritius. Tel: (230) 404 2200 Direct line: (230) 404 2137 Website: www.cielgroup.com Jean Hugues Gardenne Fundraising & Communications Manager Mauritian Wildlife Foundation Grannum Road, Vacoas Tel: 6976117 - Mobile: 57104141 www.mauritian- wildlife.org