the Island. Each related interesting scientific studies of the various facets of Cousin’s conservation from avian translocations to vegetation and bird interactions over the years (see related story by Tony Diamond), to turtle monitoring and marine reserve management and the application of Cousin as a best practice for ecotourism.
Cousin Island now Cousin was successfully restored to its original vegetation, creating a home for many endemic species of land birds and important breeding sites for seabirds. Most remarkably, the Seychelles Warbler, on whose behalf effort went into purchasing the Reserve was brought back from the brink of extinction. The success registered with the Warblers was followed up by improvements in other species notably the Seychelles Magpie robin. The first step in the rescue of the Seychelles Magpie robin, also once on the brink of extinction, was the establishment of a population on Cousin. There has been successful trans-
location of Seychelles Warblers from Cousin to Cousine, Aride and Denis Islands, and of Seychelles Fodies from Cousin to Denis. Cousin hosts seven species of nesting seabirds, 5 species of endemic birds and 7 species of endemic reptiles. By 2005, the outlook for the birds had changed. Of the endemics on Cousin, the Seychelles Magpie Robin and the Seychelles Warbler had been down listed to “Endangered”. The successful management of cousin has helped these and other species thrive. Cousin has been transformed to a flourishing tropical woodland. The numbers of nesting hawksbill turtles have tripled making it the most important nesting site for this species in the Western Indian Ocean. It is today one of the few islands free of introduced predators like cats and rats. Research has shown that the Reserve’s reefs are well protected resulting in a diverse and abundant marine fauna, especially of fish targeted by fishers. International recognition Cousin is designated as an Im-
portant Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International and is a Demonstration Site for the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN). It is classified as a Wetland under Ramsar criteria. In 2005, a management effectiveness study by UNEP and IUCN found the Reserve to be well managed and effective. In 2006, the IUCN Turtle Specialist Group highlighted the success of Cousin’s turtle conservation program which started in 1972.
Benefits to local people Initiation of eco tourism in 1972 has grown to become an exciting program run under internationally accepted principles. The Reserve attracts over 10,000 eco-visitors annually. It has won numerous awards and accolades including the Conde Nast Ecotourism Award, and the British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow. A Seychellois team runs the Reserve and only local people are involved in the ecotourism. A thrilling education program for schoolchildren and the Wildlife Clubs is run by Cousin management.
Main picture: Cousin wardens in action. The Seychelles Warbler (top right), a nesting turtle (middle right) and the Seychelles Magpie robin are special Seychelles wildlife that can be found on Cousin Island Special Reserve
Zwazo late 2008 - early 2009 21