600 Years Later, Giant Tortoises Return

For the first time in 600 years, giant wild tortoises are repopulating Madagascar thanks to a six-year-old project finally showing some success.

In 2018, the first group of six Aldabra giant tortoises were brought over from the Seychelles. Now, they are reproducing on their own, perhaps soon leading to the repopulation of the island for the 350kg megaherbivores. For the moment, 152 wild tortoises have hatched since the reintroduction of the species.

Though these giant tortoises’ ancestors inhabited Madagascar for about 15 million years, all of them were wiped out by hunters nearly six hundred years ago. The reintroduction project aims to have 2,000 wild giant tortoises roaming Madagascar’s Anjajavy Reserve by 2040. Tortoises are known for their ability to help germinate seeds in their areas and feed on dry grass and leaves on the forest floor, helping to prevent forest fires. Their reintroduction within Madagascar is expected to positively affect the forest and woodlands, limiting fires and growing trees, and benefit biodiversity, local communities, and even tourism in the area.