There's a giant tortoise at the door - Ile aux Aigrette

Mauritian Wildlife Foundation/Durrell, ​week 2 and spending it in this beautiful small island nature reserve just a few hundred metres off the mainland: Learning about endangered endemic plant species in the nursery here, in preparation for my first trip out to Round Island where many are being restored. Also getting familiarised with giant tortoise husbandry, skink rearing and the incredible native bird species of which a number are being brought back from the edge of extinction. Olive white eyes are here, currently the most endangered bird in Mauritius with about 250, and plenty of lovely and cheeky re-established Mauritian fodies. Over on the mainland are Mauritian kestrel programs, the most incredible rescue act of all - about 500 now, up from just 4 of which only 1 was a breeding female, 40 years ago!

It turns out many giant Aldabran tortoises love having their necks and heads scratched

Cheeky Elenora (male fody) who has claimed the kitchen and terrace as his food territory

Blue Bay

Rita, Sam and friends

Skinks are great cricket fans - Telfair skink with cricket meal

View from Iles aux Aigrettes looking north up the east coast of Mauritius