Source: https://statehouse.gov.sc/news/7157/why-seychelles-needs-a-modern-wildlife-protection-law
Released: 2026-07-30
Seychelles Drafts Wildlife Protection Bill to Replace 1961 Law
VICTORIA, Seychelles. The State House of Seychelles has set out the case for a new Wildlife Protection Bill that would replace the Wild Animals and Birds Protection Act of 1961, arguing that the country’s existing law is no longer fit to address modern conservation challenges.
The proposed legislation represents a full modernisation of the country’s wildlife protection framework rather than a simple amendment to the existing Act. The 1961 law was enacted before the rise of organised wildlife crime, international illegal trade and the new pressures facing island ecosystems, the State House said.
Seychelles is internationally recognised as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. The islands are home to hundreds of unique species found nowhere else on Earth, including the Aldabra giant tortoise, the Seychelles giant bronze gecko, rare seabirds and diverse marine life. The State House said these species form part of the country’s natural heritage and are essential to its environment, economy and national identity.
Several new threats have emerged since 1961. International demand for rare wildlife has created incentives for the illegal trade in reptiles, tortoises and other endemic species, putting unique populations at risk. Cases involving captive wildlife, including the Aldabra giant tortoise, have also become more common, yet the current law offers limited authority for intervention where welfare concerns arise.
The existing Act also offers limited powers for inspections, investigations and the collection of evidence. It lacks comprehensive provisions on the seizure and forfeiture of illegally held wildlife, provides insufficient safeguards for animals kept in captivity, and does not adequately regulate activities that may unintentionally place wildlife at risk, such as inappropriate feeding or the unauthorised release of animals into the wild.
The proposed Wildlife Protection Bill aims to address these gaps by creating a single, coherent framework for wildlife conservation and management across all sectors. It will strengthen institutional coordination, improve investigative capacity and set out clearer procedures for enforcement. Conservation authorities, law enforcement agencies, border control agencies and scientific institutions are expected to work more closely together under the new framework.
The Bill also introduces clearer standards for wildlife management, rehabilitation, captive care and public interaction with wildlife. The State House said these standards will give greater certainty to conservation practitioners, researchers, tourism operators and members of the public, and will support education and awareness about the country’s unique biodiversity.
Seychelles continues to participate actively in global environmental agreements and conservation initiatives. The State House said modern legislation will strengthen the country’s ability to meet these commitments and to cooperate with international partners in combating illegal wildlife trade and other transboundary environmental challenges.
The State House said the proposed legislation will deliver stronger protection for threatened species, better wildlife welfare, more effective enforcement and clearer institutional responsibilities, helping to ensure that Seychelles’ unique wildlife can be protected for future generations.
