Over the years, Denis has made considerable efforts to ensure that the natural environment of the island is conserved and treasured, so as to allow future generations to enjoy it.  While the island conducts sustainable tourism practices which safeguard Denis's natural resources, it certainly does not compromise on quality, offering the finest island hospitality and highest standard accommodation. 

Denis certainly makes good use of its natural resources and is very much self sufficient.  Poultry is raised for meat and eggs and cattle bred for milk, while all fruit, vegetables and herbs are grown in soil fertilized by sea grass collected from the beach.  Natural oils are extracted from the island's coconut palms and used for massage and wellness treatments.  Furthermore, water is drawn and desalinated from underground wells in addition to being sought from a number of rain catchment reservoirs.

Such island conservation work has included rehabilitating habitats with native broad-leaved trees and the eradication of rodents.  The island has also introduced endemic bird species by way of encouraging the ongoing national efforts to increase breeding populations.  Such introduced species include the Seychelles Fody and Seychelles Warbler, both of which were translocated from Cousin in 2004.  In 2008, both the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher (from La Digue) and the Seychelles Magpie Robin were translocated to Denis

In May 2010, attempts were made to eradicate the common myna population from Denis.  The decision for complete eradication came following the discovery that mynas were having a negative impact on the populations of some of the introduced endemic birds.  Previous attempts to eradicate common mynas involved the use of a toxicant, however, this method is now considered to be too dangerous for the endemic species.  Consequently, trapping is now the primary control method.

Sooty terns were previously common residents on a number of Seychelles islands.  However, colonies soon became extinct as a result of excessive egg harvesting, predation by introduced foreign species and habitat alteration.  Following the successful eradication of rodents and felines in 2000, Denis was the obvious site to implement a re-introduction programme.  2008 brought with it the sooty tern re-colonization programme, under the supervision of Professor Chris Feare.  The exact island location for the project was carefully considered, especially as sooty terns favour nesting on open ground with flat herbaceous vegetation.  It was also important that the location was an optimal distance from the runway and hotel and included an adequate flight path for the birds.  The chosen location consisted of a densely vegetation abandoned coconut plantation, so the first stage was to clear it.  The government allows Denis to fell up to 50 coconut trees a week in order to harvest the heart of palm for the hotel; therefore this quota was used for the sooty tern project.  The area equates to a little less than 2 hectares, constituting around 1.5% of the island's surface area.

In no time at all, Denis became a haven for sooty terns and on occasions hundreds of them could be spotted at any one time. 

Since then, each year from May to October, volunteer students from Reading University come to the island to immerse themselves in the project.  At the beginning of every project, the area is cleared of any overgrown vegetation and artificial sooty terns are placed strategically in the clearing and sooty tern colony sounds are emitted to attract birds to land.  The conservation team survey the sooty tern happenings from their watch tower, monitoring sooty tern numbers and behaviour. 

The island's beautiful coral reefs are among one of Denis's fundamental concerns.  Ongoing work is undertaken to ensure that the reefs, which are essential nursery and feeding grounds for fish and green turtles, are conserved.

Hawksbill and green turtles regularly scamper to the protected shores of Denis to lay their eggs.  These breeding turtles are tagged and continually monitored: consequently ongoing information and research is gathered to assist in the overall protection of the species.

Photographs kindly provided by Holly Payne

Praslin - La Digue - Aldabra - Bird Island - Mahe - Islands of the Sainte Anne Marine Park - Desroches & the Amirantes - Silhouette - North Island - Fregate - Cousine - Cousin - Aride - Denis - Alphonse - Felicite - Marianne - Victoria - Assumption - Cosmelido - Vallée de Mai - Coco de Mer - St Pierre - Seychelles Black Parrot - Seychelles Blue Pigeon - Seychelles Fruit Bat - Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher - Scops Owl - Giant Tortoise - Tailor Made Holiday in the Seychelles - Bareboat & Skippered Yacht Charters - Sailing Guide to Seychelles - Liveaboard Diving - Dive & Snorkel Holidays -  Wildlife Natural History & Birdwatching - Beaches - beach vacations - Marine Life whales sharks rays dolphins & coral reefs - Hiking Trekking Car Rentals Hotels Resorts & Accommodation - Mountains & Rainforest - Responsible Travel - Honeymoons & weddings - Family Adventures - Single Travellers - Whale Shark Research & Conservation