Boston Flora

Tag: Mauritius

  • Wednesday, January 15 – Friday, January 31 – Madagascar to Mauritius

    This is an extraordinary cruise for those who love the natural world and all its wonders. The star is Madagascar, a thousand-mile island boasting an impressive variety of spectacular landscapes from pristine coral reefs and coastal mangroves to virgin rain forests and native groves of Baobab trees. Geographically isolated for millions of years, nearly all of Madagascar’s intriguing animals and plants are found nowhere else on Earth, including nearly 100 varieties of lemurs. Madagascar’s people are also unique, having descended from Malay-Polynesian mariners, slaves from Africa, as well as traders from Arabia, India, and Portugal. To maximize the time in Madagascar, this expedition begins with a private charter flight from Johannesburg to Tulear, Madagascar, thus avoiding the two-day crossing of the rough Mozambique Channel by ship.

    Led by a team of expert naturalists, including Former US Ambassador Peter W. Galbraith, enjoy 10 full days of exploring Madagascar’s numerous marine reserves and national parks from the comfort of the newly refurbished, 95-passenger MS Serenissima. Leaving the wonders of Madagascar behind, arrive at Reunion Island, a paradisiacal French outpost, to explore its white-sand beaches, spectacular dormant volcanoes, and Creole character. Disembark on the island of Mauritius, the perfect ending to your voyage, taking in this island’s cultural riches or geologic wonders before transferring to the airport for flights to the U.S. The trip is co-sponsored by Harvard Alumni Travels, the Archaeological Association of America, Dartmouth Alumni Travel, and National Trust Tours. For complete information visit https://alumni.harvard.edu/travel/trips/madagascar-cruise-2020

  • Thursday, October 20, 6:00 pm – Lessons from the Dodo: Saving Species and Rebuilding Ecosystems in Mauritius

    Conservation pioneer Carl Jones, Chief Scientist, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Scientific Director, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, and recipient of the 2016 Indianapolis Prize for his efforts to save species on the brink of extinction, will discuss how his decades of work have directly revitalized multiple endangered animal populations and habitats—most famously, perhaps, the Mauritius kestrel. With only four kestrels left on Earth, Jones’ techniques not only changed the fate of those birds, but also ensured a thriving population, now nearing 400. Jones will offer insights into restoring both individual species and the ecosystems of Mauritius. He will highlight his journey to save the Rodrigues fruit bat, pink pigeon, echo parakeet, and others from disappearing forever and describe his innovative approach to rebuilding the Mauritian habitat using ecological replacements for extinct animals.

    The Thursday, October 20 lecture is presented by The Harvard Museum of Natural History in collaboration with the Indianapolis Prize, and begins at 6 pm. This program is located at the Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street. Free parking is available at the 52 Oxford Street Garage. Free and open to the public.