Cousine is unquestionably an island at one with nature.  Few islands in the world can claim to be as pure and unspoilt, making Cousine a completely unique destination to visit.  The island was in fact winner of the 2010 World Travel Award for World's Leading Green Destination.

As part of the island's systematic rehabilitation programme, many research and conservation projects have been undertaken.  Such projects include the planting of thousands of native trees, the protection of large seabird colonies and the reintroduction of endemic birds to the island.

Until recently, sightings of Seychelles white-eyes had only ever been reported on Conception, Frégate and Mahé.  In 2007, the decision was made to introduce a small number of these tiny birds onto two other islands.  Together with North Island, Cousine was one of the two islands selected for a carefully orchestrated Seychelles white-eye translocation programme.  Initially, 20 birds were brought to Cousine from Conception in July, then a further 3 from Mahé in the October.  Subsequent to the initial introduction, a few birds were lost, which was attributed to them migrating elsewhere.  Overall, the translocation programme proved to be very successful, with populations of Seychelles white-eyes thriving, growth of which looks set to continue.

Seychelles magpie robins are another bird species that have previously been under threat of extinction and as such are continually monitored by conservation teams on Cousine.  Magpie robin breeding attempts are ongoing on Denis and in March 2010, Denis's total island population stood at 33 birds.  Cousine's magpie robin populations are notorious for being very tame and friendly, providing conservation staff and island visitors with hours of entertainment.

Photographs kindly provided by Doug Howes & Cousine Island

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