Plan to protect Aldabra tortoises needed |19 October 2009

With rising sea level, the land available for the giant tortoises to live on and for the vegetation they depend to grow will diminish put strain on the delicate ecosystem and its fauna. Obviously the feral goats will be in a better position to feed on whatever vegetation remains.

What will happen to the tortoises? They already live under stress as it is. Will they survive? Can they be moved to other islands and to where? Most of the outlying islands will surely face the same fate. This can become a huge ecological catastrophe not only for the Seychelles but for all mankind.

I really hope that plans exist to cope with the situation before we lose part of heritage and that funds will be available for whatever action is required to be taken to save these helpless creatures that have been with us for so long.

Gérard Moustache
Marine Surveyor