38th Seychelles Islands Foundation AGM |17 April 2018

Unesco world heritage site Vallée de Mai hosts discussions

With the inspiring setting of the palm forest, this year the Vallée de Mai was in focus during the 38th annual general meeting of the Seychelles Islands Foundation which the natural garden on Praslin hosted on April 6 and 7, 2018.

Following last year’s declaration that the invasion of yellow crazy ants in the Vallée de Mai constitutes an emergency requiring immediate intervention, the board assessed the invasive alien species management methods and research in the Vallée de Mai.

They acknowledged that progress has been made and re-asserted that the integration of invasive alien species and biosecurity management into operations in both world heritage sites is imperative.

Poaching of wildlife is an emerging issue that was discussed at the annual general meeting (AGM).

The board members are highly concerned with rapid development in the trade of rare reptiles, specifically the giant bronze gecko or Ailuronyx trachygaster.

The giant bronze gecko is a Seychelles endemic species and one of the largest living gecko species in the world. It is a rare and highly specialised species with a tiny distribution, and is therefore highly vulnerable. The SIF board is calling upon government to take steps towards the legal protection of the species nationally. Given the existence of giant bronze geckos in the international reptile trade, the board also believes that they should be listed on CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), and calls for urgent action in this regard.

Aldabra House was also on the agenda at the AGM. The project has made significant progress since last year’s AGM with the overall building design and concept now finalised, the board members are satisfied that the plans for Aldabra House have been submitted to the planning authority. The focus of the discussion was on the exhibition part of the visitor centre.

Aldabra House will engage all of the senses in a modern and exciting visitor experience. It will showcase Aldabra at its best, drawing inspiration from all that is most special about the Unesco world heritage site and displaying it as one outstanding exhibition.

While the two days of the AGM were very busy, the board members did have the opportunity to enjoy the Vallée de Mai at night by going on a night tour in the forest.

The Vallée de Mai is a very different place at night and the board members enjoyed the opportunity to see it after dark. Highlights of the walk were seeing a chameleon, tree frog and bronze-eyed gecko.