Dr. Justin Gerlach of NPTS is providing guidance on the rehabilitation project which mainly centres around the removal of invasive species and the impact that has been done by the Casuarina trees growing around the marsh. These trees shed their needles onto the banks and into the water and on land, making the soil acidic and thus limiting the growth of other plants in the vicinity. The effect of these needles in the water of the marsh is largely unknown. An initial survey is being carried out by staff of the Resort and the MCSS to establish the water quality of the different areas of the marsh, which separates into several distinct ponds when the water levels fall.

A Seychelles terrapin or soupape, Pelusios subniger, found in the Intendance marsh. Photo: Elke Talma

The next phase is an assessment of the inhabitants of the marsh and in particular to find out exactly what species of terrapins are present. The staff at the resort have noticed the presence of terrapins for several years, but the species has not been confirmed.

Seychelles has three endemic terrapins, the most common being the Soupape terrapins Pelusios subniger parietalis and P. castanoides intergularis which are both classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. The third species P. seychellensis is thought to probably be extinct. Early reports from 1983 indicate the presence of terrapins at Anse Intendance but a survey by Dr. Gerlach failed to find any in 1997. Several reports talk of a large pugnacious terrapin that was encountered several times that does not fit the description of the endemic Soupape terrapins and may be an introduced species. Banyan Tree Resort staff also report the presence of eels in the marsh, if these are the fresh-water eels, their presence would also be significant as they are becoming scarce on Mahe. 

Once the distribution of the wildlife in the marsh is known and baseline water quality established, the rehabilitation can start in earnest and will be carried out by Banyan Tree Resort and MCSS staff and volunteers. Mr. Shane McNally, General Manager of Banyan Tree Resorts, Seychelles, has indicated that he hopes to recruit one or two permanent staff who will be trained by Dr. Gerlach and MCSS during the rehabilitation, so that they can maintain the marsh as an on-going project and will also be able to provide information to guests and visitors to the area.