By Alan Grant | Program Manager
Dear Supporters,
Each year between April and September we conduct a census of the free ranging population of Aldabra giant tortoises on the island. There are approximately 145 animals roaming the hills and forests, and we aim to find at least 90% of individuals each year.
The work is hot and difficult, searching for some of the most remote parts of the island, and it is surprisingly difficult to find such large animals concealed in the undergrowth. When each one is found, it is identified and several measurements taken to assess the growth rate. In order to identify each individual, electronic Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags are inserted which assigns a unique ID number, which can then be later read by a scanner.
There is also a nursery to house any new hatchlings found in the field. There they will stay for up to five years until they are more able to withstand predation from invasive rats, and of a size that makes them far less vulnerable to poaching. With being in the field every day we are in an ideal position to detect and relocate many of these hatchlings to the nursery, located at the Seychelles National Parks Authority ranger station.
So far this year we have hit our target of locating 90% of the free ranging population, and around 15 new animals have been donated from neighbouring Praslin island. Many new hatchlings have also been relocated to the nursery. All of these new animals have been permanently identified by inserting a PIT tag
In order to track these individuals we use two different types of PIT tag, without which we would not be able to identify individuals, so it is important for us to maintain adequate stocks of both small and large tags. Any donations to this project will be used to fund the purchase of new supplies of PIT tags, or to replace the scanner which has a finite lifespan.
While waiting for the next census to begin we will continue collecting any hatchlings to keep them safe and help maintain and grow the population. Thank you to everyone that has assisted with this very worthwhile project over the past three months!
With Gratitude,
Seychelles Ginat Tortoise
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