Curieuse Island

Curieuse Island
Nickname: Ile Rouge
Geography
Location	UTC+4)
ISO code	SC-07
Official website	www.seychelles.travel/en/discover/the-islands/

Curieuse Island is a small granitic

coco de mer palms, one of the cultural icons

of the Seychelles, only growing on the two neighboring islands.

History

Originally named "Ile Rouge" due to its red coloured soil.[1] In 1768 the French claimed possession of the island, naming it after the schooner "La Curieuse", a ship that was under the command of explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne. Like a number of islands in the Seychelles, there was a native giant tortoise population that was quickly extirpated.^[2]

In 1829, Curieuse was first used as a

leprosarium

remain, as well as the former physician's residence at Anse St. Joseph (now an educational center and museum).

Conservation

In 1967 a fire destroyed much of the vegetation on the island, including more than 150 coco de mer palms. Following this event, the government took ownership of the island and introduced various restoration and conservation projects.

In 1979, Curieuse and surrounding waters were declared the

Curieuse Marine National Park in order to protect the native wildlife. Between 1978 and 1982, a conservation project relocated Aldabra giant tortoise from Aldabra to Curieuse. Today, it is the home of more than 300 Aldabra giant tortoise

, some staying around the Ranger's Station and the rest roaming around elsewhere on the island.

On the southern part of the island is a

hawksbill turtle rookery and several bird species, such as the rare Seychelles black parrot Coracopis nigra barklyi, a parrot found only here and on Praslin. Though black parrots are found here, it is worth noting no breeding has been recorded to occur. Instead it is recorded in the mature palm forests of Praslin.^[3] Among the plant species on the island, several are native and endemic to Curieuse; Porcher (Cordia subcordata), Bois Chandelle (Dracaena), Lalyann dile (Secamone schimperiana, Bwa bannann (Gastonia sechellarum) and Bois Cassant de Bord Mer (Guettarda speciosa)^[4]

There is also currently a satellite camp for the Seychelles branch of

coco de mer numbers.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Image gallery

Aerial of Curieuse island
Tortoises on Curieuse island
Beach on Curieuse island, Seychelles
Laraie Bay on Curieuse
Aldabra giant tortoise living in Curieuse Marine National Park
Map 1
Map 2
image

References

^ seychelles.travel. "The Islands of the Seychelles - Curieuse". Retrieved 2016-03-16.
^ Carpin, Sarah,(1998) Seychelles, Odyssey Guides, p.141, , The Guidebook Company Limited, Retrieved on June 22, 2008
^ "Seychelles Black Parrot".
^ Carpin, Sarah,(1998) Seychelles, Odyssey Guides, p.141, , The Guidebook Company Limited, Retrieved on June 22, 2008
^ national park site
^ Ranger station
^ accommodation^{[permanent dead link]}

[1] seychelles.travel. "The Islands of the Seychelles - Curieuse". Retrieved 2016-03-16.

[2] Carpin, Sarah,(1998) Seychelles, Odyssey Guides, p.141, , The Guidebook Company Limited, Retrieved on June 22, 2008

[3] "Seychelles Black Parrot".

[4] Carpin, Sarah,(1998) Seychelles, Odyssey Guides, p.141, , The Guidebook Company Limited, Retrieved on June 22, 2008

[5] tional park site

[6] Ranger station

[7] tion^{[permanent dead link]}

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]