CONSERVATION WINS ON &BEYOND MNEMBA ISLAND, ZANZIBAR
2013-04-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — Located on a private atoll, 1.5 kilometres in circumference, off the coast of Zanzibar, &Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge has notched up several research and conservation successes over the past 12 months:
The Island is one of only two protected nesting sites in Zanzibar for the endangered green turtle. Since 1996 the Lodge has been responsible for an average of 37 turtle nest layings with an average of 100 hatchlings per nest every year. Last year the Lodge research team recorded 44 nests and estimates that in the 12 years they have been keeping records approximately 41,000 hatchlings have hit the sea – many of which were viewed by guests taking their first daunting journey into the ocean. Mnemba is one of the top three sites for green turtle laying in Tanzania and is deemed very important to Sea Sense, a non-governmental Tanzanian organisation and the NGO that Mnemba collaborates with on data sharing and training.
In 2005 five Ader’s duiker (the rarest antelope species in Africa) were introduced to Mnemba Island; the population has since increased to 15. Working with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), information on diet and behaviour has been collected over April and May 2011 and 2012 which the island hopes will help them improve their breeding programme and lead to a further increase in the species. WCS continue to monitor the duiker and suni populations and have plans for vegetation transects and further behavioural studies. The WCS estimates there are only 300 to 600 Ader’s duiker remaining in the wild.
Zanzibari suni breed unhindered on Mnemba Island, due to the absence of predators. The breeding project has been so successful that since 2005 a total of 259 suni have been sent to Jozani National Park and other reserves. This ensures that there is enough space and food for them, and helps prevent infighting. Jozani National Park on the mainland is where the original suni were sourced and this year 15 new suni have been introduced to Mnemba from Jozani to dilute the gene pool. The annual relocation also frees up the habitat for the rare Ader’s duiker.
The Mnemba Lodge team has initiated a code of conduct for interacting with dolphins. In addition, the Lodge boatmen have been trained in positioning their boats to avoid disrupting the mammals and guests are briefed on how to behave to minimise their impact on them.
The &Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge team hosts marine conservation lessons for 80 schoolchildren from mainland Zanzibar every year. Their day on the island includes fun and informative lessons about the importance of coral reefs, as well as snorkelling lessons which give most of them their first glimpse of the amazing ecosystem they are future custodians of.
“ &Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge is the only marine lodge in the company’s stable and one of the smallest in terms of guest numbers. By contrast, the benefits of their conservation measures and successes are substantial, and far reaching, “says &Beyond’s Group Conservation Manager, Les Carlisle.
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ABOUT &Beyond
&Beyond is one of the world’s leading luxury experiential travel companies, designing personalised luxury safaris in 16 African countries, as well as India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The company also owns and operates 32 extraordinary lodges and camps in Africa and India’s wilderness high spots. Established in 1991, &Beyond takes exceptional care of its guests in order to make a difference; its commitment to sustainable responsible travel and community empowerment is world renowned.
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