Giant tortoise population on Aldabra Atoll hits a record high, outstriking the Seychelles’ human count. The species, Aldabrachelys gigantea, is endemic to the Seychelles, famed for longevity and ecological megafauna roles.
Survey shows Aldabra Atoll hosts about 183,000 adult and sub-adult Aldabra giant tortoises, the largest count yet. Conservationists warn climate shifts and invasive species remain threats, but eradication efforts could boost growth further. The findings come from five years of counting (2018–2022) by SIF and University of Exeter and published in Ecology and Evolution.