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How can birds and climbers live together on the Reunion Island cliffs?

The White-tailed Tropicbird, emblematic of the Reunion Island, has been dislodged from its usual nesting areas. Indeed, the cliffs where they used to nest were partially covered with wire netting due to falling rocks. Today the White-tailed Tropicbird nests in climbing sites. The Ornithological Studies Society of the Reunion Island * (SEOR), in partnership with the Regional Committee of the French Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing (FFME) are committed to reconcile the preservation of the White-tailed Tropicbird with climbing.
 

 

 

A project supported by the Petzl Foundation to promote coexistence between birds and climbers.
  

 

Sharing cliffspace for climbing and nesting
To maintain a leisure activity while allowing the birds to breed quietly on climbing sites, SEOR and FFME have drawn up several action plans.
The first one is to place nesting boxes in areas outside the climbing routes, to encourage reproduction without any risk of disturbance. To do this, local climbers have been asked to put their skills to the service of the White-tailed Tropicbird. Climbers will have to adapt their climbing, first by not using the routes which disturbe the birds during nesting periods, and secondly, by creating new routes further away from nesting areas.  A reconciliation which will be rewarded by the privilege of climbing the Reunion Island cliffs in the company of the White-tailed Tropicbird!
The project also has considerable support from the general public.

 

Together to preserve ...

The Reunion Island is renowned for its dramatic landscapes which attract people who enjoy extreme sports. Climbing and canyoning are very popular. However these activities can compete with the conservation of natural habitats and species such as the White-tailed Tropicbird, which symbolizes the tropical islands for Reunion Island's population and visitors.
SEOR and FFME will bring together sportsmen and women, nature lovers and local people around the conservation of biodiversity and outdoor recreation. Sharing natural areas is a great example that coexistence between climbers and wildlife is possible!
 

  

 

* The Ornithological Studies Society of the Reunion Island, an non-profit organization founded in 1997, aims to protect birds on the Reunion Island. SEOR received the approval of Environmental Protection.

For more information: www.seor.fr/