The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation

The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) is a Registered Charity (No. 2143) and was established in 1984. MWF works in close cooperation with the Government of Mauritius and the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, formalised in separate memorandums of understanding. The headquarters is located in Vacoas, Mauritius and the Rodrigues branch is based in Solitude. MWF is the only Mauritian NGO to be exclusively concerned with the conservation of terrestrial endemic species and their habitats, and in Rodrigues has a specialisation in habitat restoration. The principal objective of the organisation is to save threatened native and endemic species from extinction.

Our Achievements

Our best known achievement is the saving of the Mauritian Kestrel. The MWF, has in recent years, brought the Pink Pigeon, the Echo Parakeet and the Mauritius Fody back from the brink of extinction. MWF's work in the area of captive-breeding and hands-on wild management of endemic animals is of internationally high repute. Our expertise is also being used in Rodrigues to address problems caused by degradation of habitat. Here we are propagating native plants in nurseries and planting them out to restore vegetation communities. The Foundation also works actively to restore offshore islands, by removing exotic vertebrates and plants and by restoring vegetation and vertebrate communities. The MWF is currently working on several islands including Ile aux Aigrettes, Round Island, Ile aux Cocos and Ile aux Sables. All of these are high profile projects of national and global biological significance.

The MWF believes that the work it is doing benefits the Mauritian nation both for the present and future generations. Most of MWF’s projects are of international importance in the conservation of biological diversity and are therefore placing Mauritius in the forefront of the Conservation world giving a high profile to any projects, which need funding. The MWF is raising the profile of conservation among tourists through the Eco-tourism activity conducted on Ile aux Aigrettes. The MWF promotes local capacity building and provides employment through its activities. The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation wishes to remain a strong vibrant and innovative organisation.

Our Mission

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.

To secure the future of Mauritian species through income generation and sound management of human, fiscal and capital resources.

Organisational Structure

MWF is governed by a Council of 15 members, made up of prominent Mauritian businessmen and women, representatives from the Mauritian Government's National Parks & Conservation Service, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and other international partners.

MWF employs 89 Mauritian staff at all levels of responsibility, and up to 8 expatriate staff. Their work is supported by up to 25 Mauritian and expatriate self-funded volunteers.

MWF and its Council are also advised by a number of scientific associates from organisations that fund or support it, namely The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, The International Zoo Veterinary Group, North of England Zoological Society, the World Parrot Trust (UK), the New Zealand Department of Conservation and The Natural History Museum (London).