Brendon Grimshaw, in 1962, accomplished a feat that most of us can only fantasize about: he purchased a tropical island. Moyenne Island is located in the Seychelles, about 4.5 kilometers north of Mahé, the largest of the 115 islands that make up the archipelago. From the moment he stepped foot on the deserted, overgrown, and rumored pirate treasure island, Grimshaw was smitten. A mere 400 meters in length and 300 in width.
Grimshaw, a Brit who had found success as a newspaper editor in Kenya, was originally from the United Kingdom. Tanzania just proclaimed independence and Kenya was planning to do the same very soon. He assumed that a native of the area would replace him. At age 37, he started to wonder what he should do next. He had always dreamed of moving to the Seychelles so he could live off the land and be closer to nature.
Optional offer
Grimshaw pretended to go on vacation to the Seychelles so that he could investigate the possibility of making his dream come true there. After some time had passed, he started to wonder if he needed to make some adjustments to his strategy. Prices for the few islands on the market in the early 1960s were not for the financially squeamish.
Then, by divine providence, a young man on the street asked if he was interested in buying an island right before he headed home. They arrived on Moyenne Island late that day. He said it was “completely different” after some time had passed. I’ll never forget the sensation. Yes, I’ve finally found it; here is the spot I was hoping to find.
Therefore, he acquired Moyenne Island for around $10,000. What followed the purchase of the island must have seemed insurmountable in comparison.
Moyenne Island was home to a miniaturized rainforest so thick that falling coconuts bounced harmlessly off the canopy. One could not have walked across it. Due to human indifference, the island had deteriorated. The natural vegetation were being strangled by weeds, and the only animals were rats scampering through the underbrush.
Now comes the hard part.
Grimshaw recruited a local man named Rene Antoine Lafortune to help. They embarked on a joint mission to return Seychelles to its natural state before the arrival of tourists and developers. They cleared trails through the woods, trimmed back overgrowth, and planted indigenous species. The act of planting became an unhealthy fixation. Today, Moyenne boasts almost 16,000 trees.
Grimshaw then went to the second problem: the lack of natural fauna. When he tried to bring ten birds from an island nearby, they quickly went back home. He re-created the scenario and assumed he would have the same outcome. But suddenly a few birds returned.
Those initial avian occupants got some food thanks to Grimshaw and Lafortune. People began to trickle into the island, and eventually a sizable population had formed. There was a rise in bird population when the new trees matured and began bearing fruit. Over 2,000 avian residents now call this tropical island home.
Grimshaw brought the huge Aldabra tortoise to his island. He diligently cared for a number of tortoises that he had brought to the island. The Seychelles are home to this species, however many of the islands inside have had their populations of this animal species dwindle to extinction.
Grimshaw, a conservation hero, numbered their shells so he could keep track of them. He promptly began a breeding scheme.
His own bedroom is where “the babies are housed,” he told the Financial Times back in 2008. If you release them, you’ll lose contact with them forever.
He was once accurately labeled “the reptilian version of a cat lady” for his efforts. About 50 tortoises have made their home on Moyenne Island.
By 1972, Grimshaw had made the island his permanent home. After some time, he was able to get running water, power, and a phone line installed. Many people saw this as the beginning of the island’s transformation into yet another popular tourist spot.
Grimshaw was not as weak as that implied. He always opposed the development of hotels on his island. He proposed transforming the land into a protected area for wildlife. He declined numerous offers to purchase the island before his death in 2012. A Saudi prince reportedly made him an offer of $50 million for it once.
Grimshaw spent the remainder of his life on the island, but he wasn’t always by himself. After his mother passed away in 1981, he welcomed his dad into his home. He couldn’t believe his 88-year-old father had given his blessing.
Although Grimshaw’s father had passed away, he was still surrounded by family and friends. In addition, Lafortune remained on the island. He relocated a few strays to the island, and now for a modest price, day-trippers from Mahé can come see the dogs. Because there was no pier, guests had to wade across the water to the island’s beautiful sands, where they were greeted by Grimshaw. A film crew visited the island in 2010 to create a documentary about Grimshaw and his activities (see below).
The tiniest national park in the world
Lafortune passed away in 2007. At age 81, Grimshaw understood that his time on Earth was short. He was childless and childless, thus there was no one to take over as the island’s caretaker. He made arrangements with the Seychelles Ministry of the Environment via a permanent trust. As a result of his efforts, the world’s tiniest national park, Moyenne Island, was established on his island.
In 2012, Grimshaw passed away, and he and his father shared a grave. The words “Moyenne taught him to open his eyes to the beauty around him and say thank you to God” appear as desired on his tombstone.
According to Grimshaw, “we had a lovely time together and became the best of friends.” Five years after Grimshaw had dug his own grave, his father passed away and was laid to rest on the island.
