Mauritius Kestrel Conservation Biologist

Job brief

• Work to save the Mauritius Kestrel from extinction!
• Gain hands-on bird conservation experience in the forests of Mauritius.

Main responsibilities

• Searching for and monitoring nests.
• Ringing and blood sampling all chicks.
• Monitoring bird movements and behaviours.
• Capture and ringing of all individuals.
• Identification of all individuals using leg rings.
• Data entry and report writing.

Requirements

• At least 21 years old.
• A BSc in a Biological Science.
• Manual driving licence car and motorbike.
• Experience driving a motorbike off-road is an advantage.
• Climbing experience is an advantage.
• Raptor experience is an advantage.
• Experience / proven interest in conservation.
• Can work outdoors in all conditions.
• Physically active.

Location

Bambou Mountains / Black River Gorges National Park

Conditions

• Flights to and from Mauritius provided.
• Accommodation and local transportation free of charge.
• Stipend.

Recruitment and selection process

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by e-mail, which will be followed by an interview for the strongest candidates.

Supplementary information

This position best suits those that are passionate about nature and its protection, can work in a team, can challenge themselves and are looking to gain new skills and experiences.

Duration

3 or 6 months.

Our projects

We have five long-term projects that focus on the conservation of our most threatened endemic bird species i.e., these species are found nowhere else in the world. All five species populations declined dramatically post colonisation due to habitat destruction and introduced predator and competitor species along with a host of other factors.

Conservation techniques utilised by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation to date include clutch and brood manipulations, captive breeding, captive rearing, reintroductions, the provision of supplementary food, the provision of artificial nest sites, control of introduced species and close monitoring of the population.

The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has had great success restoring each of these species’ populations, but there is much work left to be done to secure their long-term survival. This is our main mission at the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, to save species from extinction.

Kestrel project Conservation Biologists (ref: KPCB – 2026)

The Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus) is the only surviving bird of prey in Mauritius. The species was reduced to four known wild individuals in 1974 and was considered one of the rarest birds in the world. Emergency measures were taken to save the species. Conservation management actions were initiated as of the 1970s, and as a result, the Mauritius Kestrel population has risen to some 250 birds today and is listed as Endangered.

The position

This is a seasonal position, aimed at collecting as much information as possible about Mauritius Kestrel breeding productivity. The work consists of searching for and monitoring nests, confirming the identity of breeding birds (based on the combination of leg colour rings), confirming the number of eggs laid, egg fertility status, the number of chicks that hatch and chicks that feldge. Also, all chicks are ringed and a blood sample is collected. This position requires a lot of time searching for, and observing birds in the forest, and recording all observations in a scientific manner. The Mauritius Kestrel project is physically demanding, involving rope climbing, and hiking with heavy rucksacks in complex terrain. Staff on the Mauritius Kestrel project use motorbikes as their main mode of transportation between sites; this includes challenging off-road driving.

For any questions, please contact [email protected].

Visit our website at: Mauritian Wildlife Foundation