In this episode, reflects on one of the quiet but serious challenges for remote…

DEC 23 2025 · 19:00

In this episode, @sey_saltylocs reflects on one of the quiet but serious challenges for remote ecosystems like Aldabra: the threat of invasive species. From the moment you leave Mahé, teams from @sif_seychelles check everything for any seeds, soil or plant matter to ensure nothing hitchhikes onto the atoll. Even a single seed or ant can upset a finely-balanced ecosystem. Aldabra has faced its own challenges from rats and cats introduced in the past, which have impacted native birds and other wildlife, and SIF continues to work on eradication and tight biosecurity to protect what remains. It’s interesting that Frances compares Aldabra to the Galápagos as both islands are biological treasures, shaped by their isolation and home to wildlife found nowhere else. Galápagos has also struggled with invasive plants, goats, cats, rats and other species that arrived with humans over the centuries, and the boom in local tourism and human footprint are a big pressure on its native flora and fauna. That contrast shows why biosecurity isn’t just a set of rules, but it’s a critical safeguard for Aldabra’s future. Assomption itself plays an important role as a protective space between the main inhabited islands and Aldabra, helping reduce the risk of new invasions into this living laboratory of evolution. This is Part 3 of our mini-series featuring her time on Aldabra. Discover her YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@sey_saltylocs #ProtectAldabra #ProtectAssomption #Seychelles #FriendsofAldabra