Praslin & Silhouette Islands, Seychelles
A strange plant grows in the Valle de Mai of Praslin Island in the granitic group of the Seychelles. Naturally, this plant grows nowhere else in the world. For this reason the valley was designated as a nature reserve in 1966 and then a World Heritage site in 1989. But this plant is not alone in its uniqueness, as there are other plants and animals that are endemic or found only in these islands and even naturally just on this one island. After a quick zodiac shuttle to the small but bustling pier, we had a short drive inland to reach the valley. The morning was spent walking the trails and taking in the spectacular “forest.”
The plant of greatest interest was the Coco de Mer, a palm of gigantic proportions. The seed of this palm was known long before the actual plant was observed. Floating on the ocean, the seed had washed up on beaches in various parts of the Indian Ocean. Many myths arose because of the size and shape of the seed. The “double coconut” seed can weigh up to about 20 kg and the male plant can grow to about 30 m tall. The leaves are some of the largest in the world.
Walking the trails we were under an almost solid canopy of leaves from the coco de mer and other endemic palms and pandan plants. Suddenly there was a rustling in the canopy which became louder. A tropical rain shower was happening but under this almost solid canopy we barely got a few drops of rain. We also had a great look at how the coco de mer leaves form rain spouts and collectors for the water which then is funnelled down the trunk to the plant’s roots. During the walks we also had views of three endemic birds including the rare Black Parrot, Seychelles Bulbul, and Seychelles Sunbird. Topping of the morning we visited a lovely beach for refreshments and a swim. Then back to the dock, but by noontime another tropical shower had engulfed us. This time we had no sheltering canopy and most everyone had a damp ride to the ship.
In the afternoon we visited another of the idyllic granitic islands, Silhouette. This steep island is the home of a Seychelles Giant Tortoise Conservation Project. Ron, Gill, and their son Justin labor to protect and study the giant tortoises of the islands as well as other unique wildlife. The giant tortoise of the Seychelles was almost extinct due to the taking by early sailors for food. Fortunately that destruction of these slow and docile animals was stopped in the mid 1800’s. Originally it was thought that only one species existed in the Seychelles but in the late 1990’s Justin Gerlach conducted a genetic study discovering that there are actually two species. Unfortunately only a very small number of the Seychelles giant tortoise remain, but the Seychelles Giant Tortoise Project is slowly striving to increase the remaining population.
After walking around the island or over the island which the strenuous hikers did, we returned to the ship for recap and dinner. The Gerlachs were guests for the evening and Ron gave a summary of the history of Silhouette Island and the tortoise project.
A strange plant grows in the Valle de Mai of Praslin Island in the granitic group of the Seychelles. Naturally, this plant grows nowhere else in the world. For this reason the valley was designated as a nature reserve in 1966 and then a World Heritage site in 1989. But this plant is not alone in its uniqueness, as there are other plants and animals that are endemic or found only in these islands and even naturally just on this one island. After a quick zodiac shuttle to the small but bustling pier, we had a short drive inland to reach the valley. The morning was spent walking the trails and taking in the spectacular “forest.”
The plant of greatest interest was the Coco de Mer, a palm of gigantic proportions. The seed of this palm was known long before the actual plant was observed. Floating on the ocean, the seed had washed up on beaches in various parts of the Indian Ocean. Many myths arose because of the size and shape of the seed. The “double coconut” seed can weigh up to about 20 kg and the male plant can grow to about 30 m tall. The leaves are some of the largest in the world.
Walking the trails we were under an almost solid canopy of leaves from the coco de mer and other endemic palms and pandan plants. Suddenly there was a rustling in the canopy which became louder. A tropical rain shower was happening but under this almost solid canopy we barely got a few drops of rain. We also had a great look at how the coco de mer leaves form rain spouts and collectors for the water which then is funnelled down the trunk to the plant’s roots. During the walks we also had views of three endemic birds including the rare Black Parrot, Seychelles Bulbul, and Seychelles Sunbird. Topping of the morning we visited a lovely beach for refreshments and a swim. Then back to the dock, but by noontime another tropical shower had engulfed us. This time we had no sheltering canopy and most everyone had a damp ride to the ship.
In the afternoon we visited another of the idyllic granitic islands, Silhouette. This steep island is the home of a Seychelles Giant Tortoise Conservation Project. Ron, Gill, and their son Justin labor to protect and study the giant tortoises of the islands as well as other unique wildlife. The giant tortoise of the Seychelles was almost extinct due to the taking by early sailors for food. Fortunately that destruction of these slow and docile animals was stopped in the mid 1800’s. Originally it was thought that only one species existed in the Seychelles but in the late 1990’s Justin Gerlach conducted a genetic study discovering that there are actually two species. Unfortunately only a very small number of the Seychelles giant tortoise remain, but the Seychelles Giant Tortoise Project is slowly striving to increase the remaining population.
After walking around the island or over the island which the strenuous hikers did, we returned to the ship for recap and dinner. The Gerlachs were guests for the evening and Ron gave a summary of the history of Silhouette Island and the tortoise project.
