Fifty formerly captive Aldabra giant tortoises have been released onto an exclusive private island in the Seychelles. The move, which places the reptiles back in their native habitat, is a boost for biodiversity and a new chapter in the lives of these iconic gentle giants. North Island is a small, tropical landmass north-west of the […]
Tag: Giant Tortoises
Galápagos had no native amphibians. Then it was invaded by hundreds of thousands of frogs
On the way to her office at the Charles Darwin research station, biologist Miriam San José crouches down near a shallow pond shrouded by vegetation and reaches deep into the foliage, pulling out a small green plastic box recorder. She left it there overnight to capture the infamous croaks of a Fowler’s snouted treefrog (Scinax […]
Baby giant tortoises thrive in Seychelles after first successful artificial incubation
The slow-motion pitter-patter of tiny giant tortoise feet has been worryingly rare in recent years, but that looks set to change thanks to the first successful hatching of the species with artificial incubation. One week after the intervention, the 13 babies are building up their strength on a diet of banana slices and leafy greens […]
Bangladesh sees first ever rewilding of captive-bred elongated tortoises
Two species of critically endangered tortoises were reintroduced to Bangladesh‘s forests last December. Six captive-bred elongated tortoises (Indotestudo elongata) were first released in Lawachara National Park in northeastern Bangladesh on Dec. 18. This was followed by the release of 10 Asian giant tortoises (Manouria emys phayrei) in Matamuhuri Reserve Forest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts […]
Hotel Development Threatens Giant Tortoises
The largest population of giant tortoises in the world is facing a serious threat from a new luxury hotel development on Assomption Island in the Indian Ocean. The project, funded by Qatari investors, aims to attract wealthy tourists by providing luxury yachts, private jets, and upscale accommodations in this remote area. Conservationists, however, have raised […]
500 Giant Tortoises Reintroduced to Four Galapagos Islands in 2023
2023 was a banner year for the Galapagos Islands: that wondrous archipelago so famous for its giant tortoises and other endemic species. The long-serving conservation organization the Galapagos Conservancy, also endemic to the islands, recently published its annual report featuring standout figures like over 500 giant tortoises of 5 different species reintroduced to their natural […]