Geochelone gigantea
Geochelone gigantea
The Aldabra giant tortoise lives on Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean, where it inhabits grasslands, shrublands and mangrove forests. It does not form stable social groups, although many individuals may gather in areas where food and water are plentiful. Its extraordinary longevity makes it a true witness to the passage of time: some individuals can live for more than 150 years. Today, climate change and rising sea levels pose the greatest threat to the fragile island ecosystem on which this species depends.
IUCN RED LIST
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) classifies living species according to criteria that take into account their level of threat of extinction: the Red List is an indispensable tool for coordinating nature conservation actions, a veritable barometer of the health of our Planet.
EEP Project
This species is included in EAZA’s (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums) EEP programme for breeding endangered species.
Lives on the Island of Aldabra (Indian Ocean)
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Fun Fact
SAVED THANKS TO THE ROCKS
Giant tortoises once lived on many islands in the western Indian Ocean.
European sailors hunted them to the point of causing their extinction on all atolls except Aldabra.
There, the rocky coastline made it difficult for ships to approach and attack.
Gli animali che vivono nella stessa area geografica
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