Four Seasons Anahita: A Haven For Biodiversity And Conservation

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita, nestled by the island’s largest lagoons, is key in preserving the east coast ecosystem, led by Ocean Environment Manager Rick-Ernest Bonnier.

Nestled beside Mauritius’ largest and most pristine lagoons, the Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita is pivotal in preserving the east coast’s ecosystem. In the lush mangroves and vibrant reef, Rick-Ernest Bonnier, the Resort’s Ocean Environment Manager, tirelessly works towards marine and environmental conservation. “Snorkelling close to the mangroves is always an adventure,” he smiles. “Aside from absorbing CO₂, mangroves play a major role in maintaining the biodiversity of our lagoon – home to various species of fish and other marine life, creating a very vibrant snorkelling experience.”

Seahorse Conservation

Eager to share his expertise and lead guests on educational nature walks around the Resort, Rick is now spearheading a Seahorse Conservation Project. “The Resort lies in a fishing reserve area, offering ample opportunities to experience vibrant marine life along the surrounding reefs,” he shares. “We are fortunate to have a small seahorse population in our waters among other species of fish and coral.” A unique species found in shallow tropical waters and at high risk of extinction, seahorses are Rick’s primary focus. With over eight years at the Resort, this dedicated environmentalist knows the best spots to find them, even guiding guests on snorkeling trips to these locations. “The initial phase of my research involves identifying population structure, species, and their behavior in their natural habitat,” Rick explains. So far, two species have been identified: Hippocampus histrix and Hippocampus kuda.

Nature’s Beauty

Every morning at 8:00 am, Rick leads a Morning Resort Nature Walk, guiding guests through the lush, tropical vegetation of the property. He highlights endemic trees and plants such as Latanier Bleu, Latanier Jaune, and Bois de Natte, as well as local wildlife like the Mauritius Ornate Day Gecko, Mauritius fruit bats, and various tropical birds. “Some of the species are endemic to Mauritius while others are in the Mascarene region (including the islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues, Madagascar and Reunion),” he shares. “From the chirping of the birds to the rustling breeze among the leaves, there are so many sounds, smells and textures to explore and learn more about the native environment around us.”

This year, the Resort celebrated Earth Day by launching a new initiative: the introduction of a mini endemic forest surrounding the overwater spa.”The idea is to create our own endemic nursery where we plant and grow various species of endemic trees,” he explains. “Once they have grown, we will replant them in to our vast landscape to contribute to the conservation of our native flora.”

The Resort’s commitment to sustainability and conservation is evident in its daily operations. Efforts include eliminating single-use plastics, in-house water bottling, eco-friendly amenities, and incorporating sustainable produce into its menus.“It is a part of everything we do,” confirms Martin Dell, General Manager. “Our commitment to our planet and people is unwavering, governed by Four Seasons For Good.”