Mauritius - Extinct Mauritian Giant Tortoises

The Mauritius Post Ltd issued on 16 July 2009 a set of 4 postage stamps depicting the extinct giant tortoises of Mauritius and Rodrigues. The Mascarene Islands of Mauritius, Réunion and Rodrigues once harboured 5 species of giant tortoises, with 2 occurring on Mauritius and 2 on Rodrigues. The name Cylindraspis actually means Cylinder-shaped. They differed from any other giant tortoise species, with modified jaws, reduced scales on the legs and shells averaging 1 mm thick. The need for protective armour was no longer required because of the absence of predators on the islands. With the arrivals of humans in the 16th century and the subsequent introduction of domestic animals, especially pigs, the tortoises were rapidly hunted to extinction.

Mauritius - Fish

The Postal Services of Mauritius issued a set of 12 definitive postage stamps on Fishes of Mauritius to replace the definitive set on the Protection of the Environment. The set comprises stamps of the 50cs, Re1, Rs2, Rs3, Rs4, Rs5, Rs6, Rs7, Rs8, Rs10, Rs15 and Rs25 denominations. For this issue, the philatelic products consist of 3 sets of First Day Covers with 4 stamps each, 3 Souvenir Sheets with 4 stamps each and Souvenir Sheets on 3 First Day Covers. I am showing only one of these FDCs issued on 9.10.2000. These fishes with the exception of some species are found throughout the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans.