Data Zone
Country/territory: Mauritius
IBA criteria met: A1, A2 (2001)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 10 ha
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2023 | very unfavourable | very high | negligible |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2001 baseline)
Pont Bon Dieu is a complex of underground lava tubes, forming caves, in the lowlands of central-north Mauritius. The site is made accessible by subsidence of the roof in two areas; a natural bridge (crossed by a road) remains between the two holes, giving the site its name. The openings are up to 300 m across and 20 m deep. The important parts of the system for wildlife are the interiors of the caves, which are unvegetated. Openings are filled with thickets, mainly of exotic species. The surrounding land is sugar-cane.
Key biodiversity
See Box and Table 2 for key species. The site is home to the largest known nesting colony of Collocalia francica (100–1,000 pairs). Phaethon lepturus also nests at the site.
Non-bird biodiversity: Reptiles: Phelsuma cepediana (endemic). Mammals: Mormopterus acetabulosus (VU; large numbers).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Pont Bon Dieu (Mauritius). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/pont-bon-dieu-iba-mauritius on 23/11/2024.