Fifty Aldabra Giant Tortoises Freed on North Island to Restore Native Habitat
VICTORIA, Seychelles — Seychelles has taken a giant step for nature with the release of fifty Aldabra giant tortoises on North Island. This milestone, led by the Indian Ocean Tortoise Alliance (IOTA) and the North Island Environment Department, with support from the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources (MECENR), marks a new chapter for these iconic reptiles and for biodiversity protection in the country.
The project began when IOTA encouraged Seychelles residents to donate tortoises they could no longer care for. North Island, a predator-free sanctuary with restored native vegetation, was the perfect home. ‘Returning these tortoises to the wild restores vital ecological balance. Their grazing helps native plants thrive, and their presence supports healthy ecosystems,’ said Rich Baxter, IOTA director. The rewilding effort is expected to benefit the island’s vegetation recovery, with tortoises playing a key ecological role as seed dispersers and grazers.
The release of the fifty tortoises follows years of work by conservationists and the North Island team to restore the island’s native habitat. Officials from MECENR welcomed the initiative, noting that it complements the broader national strategy to protect biodiversity and restore ecological function across Seychelles’ islands. IOTA and partners are expected to monitor the released tortoises closely, with future releases anticipated as more animals are donated and rehabilitated.
