Our Work

Island restoration

The Chagos Archipelago is a captivating sight, and an example of a beautiful tropical environment. But it is still vulnerable to many threats, from pollution to destructive species.

When the islands were first colonised in the 1700s, incoming ships also ferried small-but-devastating stowaways. The common black rat has had a dramatic effect on the islands, preying on the eggs and hatchlings of seabirds and turtles.

The CCT is committed to restoring the islands to something resembling their previous state. Part of our work involves removing the rats and invasive plants, whilst restoring native vegetation. Our vision is to provide safe nesting grounds for many vulnerable species - from seabirds to coconut crab - and to provide a safe haven for life threatened by over-harvesting and destruction.

Read the CCT Strategic Plan 2019-2022 here.

By removing invasive species, we can restore a beautiful habitat

Information

The Chagos Archipelago is a unique place that can teach us many things about how a marine environment works. Over the last four decades, exploration of the islands and reefs have resulted in many significant discoveries.

We have created the Chagos Information Portal to showcase the work being done by scientists in this vital "living laboratory". The portal is an open-access website that collects valuable studies and data that was previously scattered in academic papers, government reports, and the video libraries of individual researchers. It is part of our ongoing mission to educate more people about these amazing islands.

Resources