Rodrigues - Fauna

Fauna of Rodrigues

Rodrigues was once home to a remarkable array of endemic fauna, shaped by its isolation in the Indian Ocean. 

The island supported unique species such as the Rodrigues Solitaire, a large flightless bird closely related to the dodo, and several species of endemic reptiles and land snails. Sadly, many of these species were driven to extinction following human settlement, deforestation, and the introduction of invasive predators like rats and cats.

Despite these losses, Rodrigues still harbors important native and endemic species. Among the most iconic is the Rodrigues Fruit Bat (Pteropus rodricensis), one of the rarest bats in the world and a flagship species for local conservation. Restoration efforts have also supported the survival of endemic skinks and geckos. 

Offshore, the island’s surrounding coral reefs and lagoons support rich marine biodiversity, including reef fish, octopus, sea cucumbers, and nesting sea turtles.

Ongoing conservation and habitat restoration work make Rodrigues a key site for species recovery, with renewed efforts to rewild and protect what remains of its unique faunal heritage.

Rodrigues supports a total of 89 recorded native terrestrial faunal species across mammals, land birds, reptiles, butterflies, and snails, of which 59 species (approximately 66%) are endemic to the island. This high endemism underscores the island's distinct evolutionary history.

• However, 47 native species (over 52%) have gone extinct, including 35 endemic species, reflecting a severe loss of biodiversity.
• Land birds have suffered heavily, with 13 out of 14 species endemic, and 11 now extinct—a staggering 84.6% extinction rate among endemics.
• Reptiles show similar trends, with 8 endemic species and 5 extinct.
• Snails are also highly affected, with 20 out of 31 endemic species extinct, marking a 65% extinction rate.
• Butterflies and mammals have seen lower species counts, but extinctions still persist.

These figures reflect the fragility of Rodrigues’ ecosystems, which have been deeply impacted by habitat destruction, overexploitation, and invasive species. The remaining endemic fauna require urgent conservation attention to prevent further extinctions.

The most famous example of Rodrigues' lost fauna is the dodo-like Rodrigues solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria), hunted to extinction by humans and introduced predators. 

ENDANGERED/THREATENED ENDEMICS

Notable examples of Rodriguan fauna include:

 1. Rodrigues Fruit Bat (Pteropus rodricensis), also known as the Golden Fruit Bat or the Rodrigues flying fox, is endemic to the island. It plays a crucial role in seed dispersal and pollination of native plant species. The Grande Montagne Nature Reserve shelters the Rodrigues Fruit Bat.  It can be found practically all over Rodrigues.

 2. The Rodrigues Fody (Foudia flavicans) and the Rodrigues Warbler (Acrocephalus rodericanus), once critically endangered birds confined to a small patches of native forest, have significantly expanded its range and population. Their numbers are now estimated in the thousands, and the species are currently classified as Near Threatened — with potential to be downgraded further to 'Least Concern' if positive trends continue.  

3. The rare species of acropora coral endemic (Acropora rodriguensis) is an encrusting coral that develops on solid substratum like other dead coral.

These threatened endemics highlight the importance of conservation efforts.

Many species were close to extinction in the 1970s when an afforestation policy was begun to protect watersheds. This provided habitat for the species and populations have now increased dramatically.

Rodrigues warbler (Acrocephalus rodericanus) 

[courtesy: Jacques de Speville)

Acropora rodriguensis, Wikipedia

Rodrigues fody (Foudia Flavicans)

[courtesy: Jacques de Speville)

Pteropus rodricensis 

[courtesy:  top: MPC; bottom: Jacques de Speville)

EXTINCT

Pezophaps solitaria, MPC

Extinct giant tortoises:  Rodrigues Domed Tortoise (Cylindraspis peltastes), a small domed tortoise, feeding on low vegetation;  Rodrigues Saddleback (Cylindraspis vosmaeri) – a specie with a long flexible neck (MPC)

Day Gecko (Phelsuma edwardnewtonii), MPC

Rodrigues Parakeet or Newton Parakeet (Psittacula exsul), Rodrigues Pigeon (Nesoenas rodericanus), MPC