Seychelles Islands Foundation-Coco de mer centre of attention at National Show |12 July 2010

The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), which manages the Vallée de Mai, showed curiously-shaped nuts at its stand as part of the National Day fair. But what attracted a large crowd was a competition to guess the weight of a viable coco de mer – one whose kernel has not been removed – and they can weigh up to 18kg each.

A total of 113 people guessed the weight of the nut, with one tagged coco de mer as a very attractive prize.

Stephanie Volcy, aged 10 from Belonie, was the winner with her guess of 8.89kg being closest to the actual weight of 8.78kg. She took home one perfectly shaped coco de mer, which has a market value of R2,800.

Visitors to the SIF stand also had the chance to learn about the research work being done at the two Unesco World Heritage Sites in Seychelles – Aldabra and the Vallée de Mai. Information was given to jobseekers who were interested in taking up positions at the two sites.

The SIF wishes to thank the organisers of the National Show and members of the public for this chance to showcase the two renowned heritage sites and to make known the efforts to safeguard them.

If the show takes place again next year, the SIF will be there to take visitors on virtual journeys to discover the curiosities of both sites. 

The Seychelles Islands Foundation manages Aldabra and the Vallee de Mai, two Unesco World Heritage Sites in Seychelles.