As a French overseas department, Mayotte applies French animal welfare law including provisions in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code (Code Rural) recognizing animals as sentient beings and prohibiting cruelty. The French Animal Welfare Act provides more comprehensive protections than neighboring Comorian islands. However, enforcement capacity is limited relative to the territory's population and resource constraints.
Marine protected areas fall under French environmental law. The Mayotte Natural Marine Park — covering the entire lagoon — provides legal protection for the extraordinary marine ecosystem.
Mayotte's barrier reef — the world's largest barrier reef of volcanic origin — encloses a lagoon supporting exceptional biodiversity: dugongs (rare in the western Indian Ocean), green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, dolphins, and rich reef fish communities. The Mayotte Natural Marine Park (Parc Naturel Marin de Mayotte) was established in 2010 to protect this ecosystem.
Dugong welfare is particularly significant — Mayotte supports one of the largest dugong populations in the western Indian Ocean. Dugong welfare threats include boat strike injury and traditional hunting in some communities. Protection programs combine legal enforcement with community education.
Green sea turtles nest on beaches across Mayotte's main islands and islets. Komodo association conducts turtle monitoring and protection, employing local eco-guards. Traditional egg collection, though illegal, continues in some areas. Climate impacts on sand temperature (affecting hatchling sex ratios) represent an emerging welfare concern.
Stray dog populations are significant in Mayotte's rapidly growing towns. Limited veterinary infrastructure and municipal animal control services mean population management primarily occurs through periodic culling. French overseas organizations occasionally support spay/neuter campaigns. The rapid demographic growth in Mayotte creates ongoing challenges for animal welfare service provision.
Smallholder livestock keeping (chickens, goats, cattle) is common in rural Mayotte. French agricultural welfare standards technically apply but are difficult to enforce in smallholder contexts. French development aid includes agricultural extension that incorporates some welfare components.