Mauritius is a small island but has a remarkable and in many ways unique wildlife story. The original fauna evolved in complete isolation for millions of years — a phenomenon that produced the dodo (now extinct) and a range of species found nowhere else on Earth. Understanding wild animals in Mauritius requires knowing which species are native and which were introduced: the island has very few large native land mammals, but its birds, reptiles, and marine wildlife are extraordinary. This guide covers what wild animals you can expect to see in Mauritius, where to find them, and how to include wildlife encounters in your island tour. Ask about wildlife-focussed itineraries when you book your Mauritius airport transfer.
Mauritius Kestrel
One of the world's rarest raptors, recovered from 4 individuals to over 400. Spot it in Black River Gorges National Park.
Spinner Dolphins
Wild spinner dolphins inhabit the west coast lagoon year-round. Early morning boat trips offer reliable sightings.
Giant Tortoises
Aldabra giant tortoises (not native but present since the 18th century) can be seen roaming freely at several reserves.
Mauritius has no native large land mammals other than fruit bats (flying foxes). The mammals you see roaming the island — deer, monkeys, mongoose — are all introduced species. The Javan rusa deer was introduced in the 17th century for hunting and is now widespread in the Black River Gorges National Park and surrounding forest. The long-tailed macaque (crab-eating macaque) was brought from Southeast Asia by early traders and is now abundant across the island, particularly in coastal forests and near food sources. The Indian mongoose was introduced in the 19th century to control snakes, and is now itself a significant threat to native ground-nesting birds. Flying foxes (Pteropus niger) are large native fruit bats that roost in trees across the island and are visible at dusk.
The most important conservation success story involving wild animals in Mauritius is the Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus). By 1974, only 4 individuals remained — making it the world’s rarest bird. Through an intensive captive-breeding and release programme led by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, the population recovered to over 400 birds. The kestrel is now regularly seen in the Black River Gorges National Park. Other notable endemic birds include the pink pigeon (once reduced to 10 individuals, now over 400), the echo parakeet (the world’s rarest parrot in 1987, now with 750+ individuals), and the Mauritius fody — a small red bird visible in coastal scrubland. The Ile aux Aigrettes nature reserve off the south-east coast is a coral island restoration project where several of these endemic birds can be observed at close range.
Marine life is where Mauritius wildlife encounters are most accessible to visitors. Spinner dolphins are present in the west coast lagoon year-round: pods of 50–200 animals rest in the shallow waters near Tamarin Bay and La Preneuse each morning before heading offshore to feed. Boat trips depart from Tamarin and Black River from around 6:00–7:00am. Humpback whales pass through Mauritian waters during their annual migration June–September, most commonly sighted on the west coast. Green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles occasionally visit the reef. Reef sharks (blacktip and whitetip reef sharks) are present on dive sites and pose no danger to swimmers. A wide variety of tropical reef fish — parrotfish, lionfish, moorish idol, emperor angelfish — are visible on any snorkelling or diving excursion.
Black River Gorges National Park covers 6,574 hectares of native forest in the south-west of Mauritius and is the best location for encountering native wildlife. The park protects the last significant area of native Mauritian forest and is home to the kestrel, pink pigeon, echo parakeet, and the island’s deer and monkey populations. Several marked trails of varying difficulty cross the park. The visitor centre at Black River (Rivière Noire) provides maps and current wildlife information. The Private South Tour passes through the Black River Gorges area — request a wildlife focus if this is a priority for your visit.
Ile aux Aigrettes is a 27-hectare coral island just off the south-east coast, managed by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation as a restoration project. Introduced invasive species have been removed and the island is being restored to its pre-human state. Giant Aldabra tortoises (which fill the ecological niche of the extinct Mauritian giant tortoise) roam freely. The endemic Mauritius fody, pink pigeon, and olive white-eye can be seen at close range. Guided tours run from Mahébourg — this is the single best location in Mauritius for observing endemic species in a restored natural setting. Although not a native tortoises to Mauritius specifically, the Aldabra tortoises at Ile aux Aigrettes and at Casela Nature Park are accessible to visitors and are one of the most requested wildlife experiences on the island.
No animals in Mauritius pose a significant danger to visitors. There are no large predators, venomous snakes, or large sharks in the lagoon. Blacktip reef sharks are present on dive sites but are timid and no incidents have been recorded with swimmers. The main cautionary wildlife notes are: avoid handling monkeys (they can bite and carry disease), and watch for sea urchins on rocky reef areas.
Yes — wild spinner dolphins are resident year-round in the west coast lagoon near Tamarin and Black River. Early morning boat trips offer the most reliable sightings. Dolphin-watching trips are available from Tamarin village. Note that ethical operators observe dolphins without chasing or encircling them.
Yes. The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) was a flightless bird endemic to Mauritius and is the most famous of the island’s extinct species. It was last reliably recorded in 1662, approximately 64 years after the first Dutch settlement. Natural History Museum models and skeleton casts can be seen at the Blue Penny Museum in Port Louis.
The story of wild animals in Mauritius is inseparable from the island’s conservation history. Mauritius lost its most famous native species — the dodo — to extinction in the 17th century, but today the island is home to one of the most ambitious wildlife recovery programmes in the Indian Ocean. The Mauritius Wildlife Foundation (MWF) manages several island sanctuaries where critically endangered species are being brought back from the brink. Visitors who engage with these programmes directly support the ongoing recovery of Mauritian biodiversity.
The Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus) is perhaps the greatest conservation success story in the world. In 1974, only four birds remained — it was the rarest bird on earth. Thanks to captive breeding and habitat management, the population now exceeds 400 birds in the wild. You can observe these agile falcons in the Black River Gorges National Park, particularly along the Brise Fer trail, where they hunt lizards and small birds above the native forest canopy. The Mauritius Wildlife Foundation offers guided eco-tours to key habitat sites.
The ocean around Mauritius hosts some of the most impressive wild animals in Mauritius accessible to tourists. Spinner dolphins live permanently in Tamarin Bay on the west coast — resident pods of 100–300 animals can be seen daily, particularly in the early morning hours before boat traffic increases. Responsible dolphin-watching operators maintain a respectful distance; avoid tours that promise “swim with dolphins” experiences, which cause significant stress to wild animals.
Humpback whales pass through Mauritian waters during their annual migration from June to October. June–September offers the best whale watching from Tamarin Bay, with sightings almost guaranteed during morning departures. Green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles nest on several beaches, including Île aux Aigrettes and beaches along the south-east coast. The Mauritius Ministry of Environment enforces strict marine wildlife protection laws; always maintain a minimum distance of 10 metres from turtles in the water.
Getting to Mauritius’s wildlife sanctuaries efficiently requires good transport planning. Île aux Aigrettes (the island nature reserve off Mahébourg) is accessible only by boat from a dedicated jetty — Taxis Mauritius can arrange your ground transfer to the departure point. The Casela World of Adventures park in the west combines native bird exhibits with walking safaris. The La Vanille Nature Park in the south specialises in giant Aldabra tortoises and endemic Mauritian species. Taxis Mauritius private day tours cover all wildlife destinations with flexible pickup and return times suited to tour schedules.
Photographing wild animals in mauritius requires patience and the right approach. For spinner dolphins, use a boat operator with an underwater camera rental option — visibility is excellent in Tamarin Bay in calm conditions. For the Mauritius kestrel, visit Brise Fer trail in Black River Gorges early morning (before 8am) when the falcons are most active. A 300mm lens or more is recommended for bird photography in the forest canopy. Giant tortoises at La Vanille Park are approachable and photogenic — best light is in early morning before the park fills with visitors. Always maintain the minimum 10m distance from wild marine animals and follow guide instructions to avoid disturbing nesting turtles.
SWIM WITH WILD DOLPHINS IN MAURITIUS
Join a private morning tour to Tamarin Bay — the best spot to encounter spinner dolphins in their natural habitat. Hotel pickup included.
Book the Dolphin Swim Tour →