Aerial view of Gunner's Quoin (Photo courtesy M K Rossan)
Found 8 kilometres to the north of Mauritius, this islet
covers 65 hectares and is of interest as there remains parcels of the
primary vegetation in spite of the occasional fire and the presence of
rats and hares.
Bois de Chandelle (Draceana concinna, Liliaceae)
The remnants of primary vegetation that can still be seen are the Bois
de Chandelle (Draceana concinna, Liliaceae), la Liane Bambaras (Scutia
myrtina, Rhamnaceae), le Bois de Clous (Eugenia lucida, Myrtaceae) and
the lomatophyllum (Liliaceae). This last plant is to be seen only on
this island and on Round island where a very small population still
exists.
The Bird population consists of Pailles en Queue (Phaethon lepturus) and
of Fouquets. Unfortunately, at times theses birds are shot by unscrupulous
people. Recently the island has been cleared of rabbits.