ICS Seychelles

🦈 Exciting Update from ICS! 🌊 We're thrilled to announce the completion of the first fieldwork period for our collaborative project with @alphonsefoundation, @saveourseasfoundation - @darrosresearchcentre, and @nico_fassbender from @universitywa . 🌟 Together, we're diving into the fascinating world of shark ecology around the #Alphonse and St. Francois atolls, as well as exploring inter-island travel within the #Amirantes. 🦈🔍 During this period, our team deployed cutting-edge Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS) to study the diversity and demographics of sharks in the Alphonse Group. 🎥 Additionally, we acoustically tagged 25 individual sharks from four different species, which will be closely monitored by the Alphonse Underwater Tracking Observatory (AUTO) acoustic receiver array for the next decade. 📊 This long-term monitoring will provide invaluable insights into their behavior, habitat use, and movement patterns. 📝 Despite a few weather challenges, we were fortunate to experience mostly perfect conditions, allowing us to gather valuable data for our research. 🌤️ 🌊 Stay tuned for more updates and information on our exciting discoveries! #SharkEcology #ConservationResearch #OceanExploration #ICSSeychelles #sharks #marineconservation #ProjectUpdate #seychellessc #sharksofinstagram @chris.narty @jack_carnaby @sebastiancowin98 @dillyseychelles @seythalassophile @ellebrighton @msmarinescientist @marineconservationsocietysey @juhokarhu_photography @bluesafariseychelles @lukegordonphotography @lukesaddler @wiseoceans

🐦🌿 Planning a Visit to Aride Island? Don't Miss the Seychelles Warbler! 📸 Make your trip to Aride Island unforgettable by capturing a photo of the endemic Seychelles warbler (Acrocephalus sechellensis or Pti Merl Dezil in Creole)! This remarkable bird species has a fascinating conservation story to tell. Introduced to Aride Island in 1988 from Cousin Island, the Seychelles warbler population has thrived beyond expectations. From a humble group of 26 birds, their numbers skyrocketed to 1,839 individuals by 2003, surpassing populations on neighboring islands like Cousin, Cousine, Fregate, and Denis. We're proud to share that the Island Conservation Society (ICS) played a crucial role in this conservation success story. In recognition of our collective efforts, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) downlisted the Seychelles warbler from "Critically Endangered" to "Near Threatened" on the Red List of Threatened Species in 2015. So, as you explore the natural wonders of Aride Island, keep your eyes peeled for these charming warblers flitting among the foliage. Capture their beauty through your lens and join us in celebrating their remarkable journey to recovery. Share your Seychelles warbler sightings with us using #SeychellesWarbler and #ArideIslandAdventure! Let's spread the word about this conservation success story far and wide. 🌍🌺 #ConservationWins #BirdWatching #VisitSeychelles #ArideIsland #ZilArid #EndemicSpecies 🐤🌴 @birdlife.international @birdlife.europe @adrianskerrett @lee_hankinson @sommers_travel_seychelles @oceanlabs.seychelles @m_a_c_c_e @marineconservationsocietysey @alaindeco1 @pdcs2023 @seychellescomevisit @varuna_biodiversite @blackparrot.co @conservationorg

Happy #earthday2024 to all our followers! Every day should be #EarthDay. #earthdayeveryday 📸E.Levorato & W.McNeely

Happy Earth Day! 🌍 Today, let's celebrate the beauty and wonder of our planet and commit to protecting it for future generations. 🌿 Here are some simple steps we can take to make a difference: 🌱 Get Outdoor! 🌊 Take care of others. 🌞 Make things better. 🌳 Learn more about your surroundings. Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter future for our planet. 🌎Happy Earth Day! 🌿🌎 Follow @ICSSeychelles . . . . . . #EarthDay #ProtectOurPlanet #Sustainability #MakeADifference #visitseychelles #seychelles #EarthDay2024 @earth @lucasbyron4 @little.blueprints.art.studio @jeremyville @ntgo_ @greenme_it @consciousplanetusa @eco4life_ @wandereatwrite @damy_sey96

Caught sight of this intriguing and fascinating octopus today! #marine #seychelles🇸🇨 #visitseychelles #conservation #marineconservation

🌿✨ #ThrowbackThursday: Reflecting on a Wonderful Partnership ✨🌿 Throwing it back to a memorable visit from Terrestrial Restoration Action Society of Seychelles! 🌱 This leading NGO in plant #propagation, #rewilding, and #restoration, based on the neighboring island of #Praslin, paid us a visit a few years back. We were thrilled to collaborate with #TRASS in setting up a nursery for native and indigenous plants on our beloved Aride Island. 🌺🌴 Now, we're excited to announce the renewal of this partnership, which will bolster our efforts to #rehabilitate the plateau area of Aride Island. With TRASS's expertise and support, our team will be better equipped to prepare for the introduction of new species later this year. 🌳 Reserve Manager, Anthony Bentley is gearing up for an upcoming visit to the TRASS nursery, where he'll have the chance to observe their facilities and practical sessions firsthand. Stay tuned as we embark on this journey together! 🌍💚 We can't wait to see the positive impact of this renewed partnership and the flourishing biodiversity it brings to Aride Island. 📸 Anthony Bentley #RenewedPartnership #ConservationCollaboration #RewildingJourney 🌿🦜#conservation #seychelles #visitseychelles #TRASS #icsseychelles #plants #rewilding @trass.seychelles

🌟 Exciting Bird News Alert! 🌟 Guess who's back on Ile du Nord in the Farquhar atoll? Three stunning Glossy Ibises have been spotted and photographed once again, mirroring last year's sighting at the same time! Could it be that these elegant creatures are loyal returning visitors to our island paradise? 🏝️🐦 It's quite possible! Many bird species exhibit site fidelity, meaning they return to the same breeding or feeding grounds year after year. Let's celebrate the beauty of nature's patterns and the wonder of these majestic birds gracing our shores once more. 📸✨ Stay tuned for more updates on our feathered friends! 📸 William McNeely #GlossyIbisReturn #BirdWatching #NatureLovers #FarquharAtollAdventures #seychelles #visitseychelles #birds #conservation #vagrant #OuterIslands

A warm welcome to our visitors on Aride Island today! Enjoy! #seychelles #visitseychelles

🐢 Important Reminder: Protecting Sea Turtle Hatchlings 🐢 As sea turtle nesting season ends, it's crucial to remember how to responsibly interact with these adorable hatchlings! Here are some tips: Hands Off, Please: If hatchlings are not disoriented, it's best to leave them alone and let them make their way to the ocean on their own. Handle with Care: If intervention is necessary, avoid touching hatchlings directly. Human hands can carry harmful bacteria, fungi, or chemicals that may harm them. Instead, opt for clean plastic bowls or containers to gently move them if needed. Avoid Squeezing: Hatchlings have a pouch of fat used as a reserve of food, which can be easily damaged if squeezed. Handle them with utmost care to ensure their well-being. Let's all do our part to protect these precious creatures as they begin their journey into the ocean! 🌊💙 📸 William McNeely #SeaTurtleConservation #ProtectTheHatchlings #WildlifeProtection #seychelles #visitseychelles #conservation #seaturtles🐢 #criticallyendangered

🌴 Discover Banc de Sable - Farquhar's Hidden Gem 🌴 Get ready for a bird's eye view of Banc de Sable, a stunning sandy island nestled in the western part of the Farquhar atoll! 🏝️ Despite its unassuming appearance from above, this little slice of paradise is teeming with life and natural wonders. 🐦 Birdwatcher's Haven: Banc de Sable plays host to a diverse array of avian species, from the majestic Greater Crested Tern to the elegant Grey Heron. Watch as they gracefully soar through the skies or nestle along the pristine beach. 🐢 Turtle Sanctuary: Witness nature's miracle as Hawksbill and Green turtles grace the shores of Banc de Sable to lay their precious eggs. Keep an eye out for their distinctive tracks during beach patrols - a true testament to the island's importance as a turtle nesting ground. 🐟 Marine Wonderland: Dive into the turquoise waters surrounding Banc de Sable and prepare to be mesmerized by the marine life below. From graceful Black-tip Reef Sharks to majestic Spotted-Eagle Rays, and schools of Bonefish dancing in the shallow waters, every snorkel or dive is an adventure waiting to unfold. Don't miss out on the chance to experience the magic of Banc de Sable during your visit to #Farquhar. Trust us, this little gem is worth the journey! ✨ #BancdeSable #FarquharIslands #NatureLovers #TropicalParadise 🐠🌊 #seychelles #visitseychelles #conservation #ics #Facebookpost #instadaily #travel #dream

Close encounter with a Giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), Vyey krab in Creole. Video: William McNeely & Elena Levorato #conservation #seychelles #visitseychelles #fisheries #marine

Our conservation Centre on Silhouette is buzzing with activities! Last week, our team welcomed a small group of students who spent a few days learning about the different projects we are doing on the island and our everyday task in conservation. The students were able to accompany our team on different activities such as conducting #turtle patrols and our weekly check-ups on the #tortoises. It was a pleasure to share our passion for conservation with such bright young minds. We look forward to welcoming more visits and continuing our collaborative efforts to protect our precious natural resources. Thanks to all our partners for making such visits possible. #conservation #seychelles #visitseychelles #Silhouette #education #visits @hiltonseychelleslabriz @idcseychelles @elliotfrost99 @tinick22 @adelinericky4