Giant tortoise population rebounds to 183,000 on Seychelles island

The Aldabra atoll, a remote island in the Indian Ocean territory of Seychelles, now hosts one of the world's most significant populations of giant tortoises, with numbers reaching approximately 183,000 individuals. The dramatic increase represents a conservation triumph after centuries of decline driven by hunting and exploitation.

Historically, the giant tortoise population plummeted to fewer than 1,000 animals due to intensive hunting during the colonial era. Through decades of dedicated conservation efforts and the establishment of protected status, the species has undergone a substantial recovery on the island, which remains largely isolated from human settlement.

However, wildlife experts warn that threats to the population persist. Climate change poses an increasing risk to the tortoises and their fragile island ecosystem, while invasive wild rodents continue to prey on eggs and young hatchlings, potentially limiting further population growth. Conservation authorities continue monitoring these challenges to ensure the long-term viability of the population.

The Aldabra giant tortoise remains one of the largest living tortoise species and serves as a flagship for successful wildlife recovery programmes in the Indian Ocean region. The population's growth demonstrates what is possible through sustained conservation commitment, though ongoing vigilance remains essential.