Rodrigues

Rodrigues is a small volcanic island far east of Mauritius, surrounded by a broad lagoon and coral reef. Its isolation allowed unusual animals to flourish, including giant tortoises and the flightless Rodrigues solitaire. The island's hills and streams offered fresh water and shelter in a vast stretch of the Indian Ocean. It is the easternmost of the principal islands that make up the Mascarene group.

In 1691 the Huguenot François Leguat and seven companions landed, hoping to establish a refuge for Protestant settlers. They left in 1693, and Leguat later published an account of the island and its wildlife. France established a lasting settlement in 1735; tortoises were taken in great numbers to supply ships and neighbouring islands. British forces occupied Rodrigues in 1809.