Meet the Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea), one of the largest tortoises… (2/2)

MAR 03 2025 · 21:05

Meet the Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea), one of the largest tortoises on the planet! These giants can grow up to 290 pounds, thanks to a diet rich in grasses, leaves, woody stems, and fruit. They’re incredibly long lived with recorded life spans of over 190 years old! Yet, despite their remarkable longevity and size, these animals are now under serious threat. Assomption Island, one of the Aldabra group, recently approved the construction of an upscale resort. This project puts over 400 endemic species at risk, including a population of Aldabra giant tortoises, sea turtles, dugongs, migratory whales, and coral reefs. The resort will be built just 17 miles away from the pristine Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stands as one of the world’s last relatively untouched ecosystems. The potential impacts are huge: invasive species could be unintentionally introduced, habitats might be destroyed beyond repair, and pollution could run rampant without regulation. The stakes are incredibly high, but we still have time to act. Let’s rally together to stop this development to protect Aldabra for future generations. Join me and a global community of conservationists by signing the petition now (Link in bio)! To learn more follow: @friendsofaldabra #FriendsOfAldabra #UNESCO