Aldabra giant tortoise population recovery

Scientific research conducted by the University of Exeter and the Seychelles Islands Foundation has estimated the Aldabra giant tortoise population on the Aldabra Atoll to be approximately 180,000 to 183,000 individuals. This figure represents the highest population estimate ever recorded for the species in this region and notably exceeds the human population of the Seychelles, which is estimated at 122,000 to 123,000.

The findings are based on population monitoring data and modeling techniques utilizing data collected between 2018 and 2022. A study published in Ecology and Evolution noted that researchers utilized new technology to monitor the species in difficult to reach areas of the atoll.

The recovery of the species, which was once near extinction due to 19th century hunting by European explorers and sailors, is attributed to long term protection measures. The population was reduced to fewer than 1,000 individuals during that era. The Aldabra Atoll is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a strict nature reserve, serving as one of only two locations globally where these tortoises live in the wild. Despite the population growth, the species remains listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to its limited geographic range.