Aldabra giant tortoises exceed 180,000 in new survey estimate
LIFEUnverifiedUpdated:
An atoll-wide survey reportedly estimated more than 180,000 giant tortoises on Aldabra. They are said to outnumber Seychelles residents for the first time in centuries, providing a baseline for future population tracking.
The first rigorous atoll-wide survey since the 1990s
ScienceAlert reports that a population study across Aldabra Atoll found more than 180,000 freely roaming Aldabra giant tortoises. The article describes this as the first rigorous survey of the population since the 1990s and says it produced the most reliable baseline yet for the species.
The article says fewer than 1,000 Aldabra giant tortoises remained on Aldabra Atoll by the 19th century.
The recent atoll-wide survey reportedly estimated more than 180,000 tortoises, a record-high count and a baseline intended for future population tracking.
The reported count marks a major recovery from the historical decline described in the article and gives conservation managers a benchmark for tracking future changes. The article also notes continuing pressures from sea-level rise, drought, feral cats, black rats, and other invasive species.
Sources
- ScienceAlertAfter Almost Going Extinct, Giant Tortoises Now Outnumber People in The SeychellesRead source →