News
On Saturday 20 July, sixteen members of the Friends of Mauritian Wildlife went to the Black River Gorges National Park for a hike along the Macchabee loop trail. Accompanied by Lensley Etiennette (Friends & Events Coordinator), Giani Abajee (Flora Conservation Biologist), Emmanuel Violette (Pink Pigeon Conservation Biologist) and Vivian Julie (Volunteer), they embarked on an exhilarating hike, their spirits as high as their expectations. They enjoyed a very kind weather all along the 8 kms of their journey through this native forest.
Along the way, the participants were fascinated by the stunning views that lay before their eyes at the different viewpoints. The Black River Gorges revealing its splendour with lovely patches of green enhanced by peaks and waterfalls being seen on the other side of the gorges.
Among the Friends, was John Davy (member of the Society of Arts and Sciences), shared his very good knowledge of orchids with the other participants. He showed them the native Angrecum sesquipedale - also known as Darwin’s orchid - as well as the Bulbophyllum mauritina.
As the hike progressed, nature’s sounds became more and more captivating. The unmistakable high-pitched call of the Echo Parakeet could be heard here and there as furtive green wings were observed in the forest canopy. Few moments later, the Friends were given the opportunity to admire this species from a short distance when a few Echo Parakeets were seen resting on a tall tree. Emmanuel Violette seized the opportunity to share some details about the species with the group. Other bird species were also observed like Pink Pigeon, Mauritius Bulbul, Cuckoo Shrike, and the White-Tailed Tropicbird.
Then came the hard part of the hike with the participants needing to make their way through the steep track. The rainy weather which occurred a few days prior made the track muddy and slippery, resulting in a laborious descent. Reacting like a team, the participants helped each other get through the difficult passage.
After the descent and a short break on the edge of a captivating waterfall, our Friends attacked a steep ascent leading to the Macchabee Viewpoint. As energy levels began to fade, the pace dropped. But the tired faces soon gave way to smiles as they approached the viewpoint. Before their eyes, a picturesque view of the gorges with the contrasting azure blue of the ocean in the background.
After a few pictures for the souvenir and it was time to make their way back to Petrin to the vehicles before reaching back home safely, heads full of good memories.
You can contact our Friends & Events Coordinator Lensley Etiennette, on mwffriends@mauritian-wildlife.org if you want to be part of the next discovery hike. Friends of Mauritian Wildlife, a project sponsored by Emtel, regroups nature and environment lovers and has as objective to instil interest in all aspects of wildlife and habitat conservation. For more information visit: https://www.mauritian-wildlife.org/friendsofmwf.
