Far off in the Southwest Indian Ocean is the famed Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World… (3/6)

JUL 09 2026 · 22:18

Far off in the Southwest Indian Ocean is the famed Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sir David Attenborough called it “one of the world’s greatest surviving natural treasures,” and a luxury resort development on a nearby island is putting it all at risk. Aldabra is home to the world’s largest population of giant tortoises, along with rare birds, plants, and reptiles, making it a refuge for 400 species found nowhere else on Earth. It’s also a sea turtle nesting site surrounded by over 100 coral species, all within a Marine Protected Area. This resort development claims to be sustainable, but construction has begun, and its impacts are already visible. Even after construction, human activity could damage reefs and nesting sites, and introduce invasive species that could degrade the entire ecosystem. Pristine ecosystems like Aldabra are increasingly rare, and worth protecting. Help @FriendsOfAldabra urge the Seychelles government and UNESCO to protect this jewel of the Indian Ocean, not sell it to the highest bidder — Link in bio. Photos by @mitty, @celinaxchien, & @evileyelander #FriendsOfAldabra #ProtectAldabra #SomePlacesAreNotForSale #ClimateAction #Explore