Researchers have identified a population of approximately 180,000 Aldabra giant tortoises on Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, establishing the highest recorded number for the species and highlighting a significant conservation victory.
The findings emerge from a comprehensive survey led by the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) and the University of Exeter. The team analyzed five years of field data collected between 2018 and 2022, providing the first major population update since a widely cited estimate of 100,000 tortoises was recorded in the late 1990s.
This new figure significantly surpasses the human population of the Seychelles archipelago. Aldabra Atoll remains one of only two locations globally where these massive reptiles exist in the wild, the other being a much smaller population in the Galápagos Islands.
Dr. Frauke Fleischer-Dogley, CEO of the Seychelles Islands Foundation, described the results as tangible proof of the impact of sustained environmental stewardship. “More than 180,000 giant tortoises roaming freely on our atoll is proof of what long-term commitment to conservation can achieve,” she said. “This is wonderful news for Seychelles, for the world, and for everyone who has worked to protect Aldabra.”
This is fantastic news for Aldabra. Let’s just hope this positive trend continues and the population remains stable against future threats.
Wow, 180,000? That is a staggering number compared to the old estimates. How did they manage to count them all so accurately?
Absolutely thrilled to see this success story. It proves that dedicated conservation efforts really do work when sustained over time.