Aldabra giant tortoise population reaches record 180,000

A new study conducted by the Seychelles Islands Foundation and the University of Exeter reveals that the population of Aldabra giant tortoises on the Aldabra Atoll has reached approximately 180,000 individuals. This figure represents the highest estimate ever recorded for the species, significantly exceeding previous counts from the 1990s that placed the population at around 100,000. Researchers noted that the increase is largely due to improved statistical modeling that accounts for tortoises hidden in dense vegetation, rather than a sudden population explosion.

The findings highlight a major conservation success, as the species was reduced to fewer than 1,000 individuals in the 19th century due to intense hunting. While the population is currently stable and exceeds the human population of the Seychelles, scientists warn that climate change remains a persistent threat to their future.

In a related development, genomic research on Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise living on Saint Helena, has provided insights into extreme longevity. Estimated to be at least 194 years old, Jonathan’s genome contains 287 unique variants related to aging pathways, though researchers emphasize that these findings do not yet provide a definitive “recipe” for long life.