Community Unites to Rescue Endangered Tortoises in Madagascar Flood

In Madagascar, a community mobilized to rescue over 10,000 endangered tortoises displaced by a flooding tropical cyclone. Despite recovering many tortoises, approximately 700 were found dead. The Lavavolo Tortoise Center, significantly affected by the floods, underscores the ongoing battle against habitat loss and poaching threatening these species.

A significant community effort has emerged in southern Madagascar to rescue thousands of critically endangered tortoises that were displaced due to flooding caused by a tropical cyclone. Local residents, sanctuary staff, and police collaborated in a rescue operation, utilizing large containers to gather the distressed tortoises. Some rescuers fashioned makeshift rafts using damaged structures to transport the tortoises while searching for others.

Hery Razafimamonjiraibe, the Madagascar director for the Turtle Survival Alliance, expressed optimism that they had saved more than 10,000 tortoises, although an official count was pending. The counting process posed challenges as the tortoises exhibited surprising mobility. Tragically, approximately 700 dead tortoises have been retrieved, having succumbed to entrapment by debris during the floods.

Most rescued tortoises have been returned to the sanctuary, yet the floods severely impacted the Turtle Survival Alliance’s infrastructure, necessitating reconstruction. The Lavavolo Tortoise Center had previously undergone major renovations in 2018 to accommodate seized tortoises from wildlife traffickers. The center houses mainly radiated tortoises, native to Madagascar, Reunion, and Mauritius, which can live for over a century.

The radiated and spider tortoises face critical risks from habitat destruction and poaching, with their shell patterns making them targets for illegal trafficking as pets. Historically, radiated tortoises numbering in the tens of millions have drastically diminished to now being displaced from 65% of their natural habitat due to these pressures. The Turtle Survival Alliance emphasizes the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these magnificent reptiles.

The collective action of the Malagasy community illustrates their commitment to the rescue of endangered tortoises following catastrophic flooding. Despite the losses, the successful recovery of thousands of tortoises highlights both the resilience of the species and the challenges they face due to environmental threats and illegal trafficking. Ongoing efforts are essential to ensure the survival of these critically endangered tortoises and to restore their habitats.

Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com