Local residents in Madagascar rally to save endangered tortoises during a flood.
In southern Madagascar, locals and sanctuary staff united to save thousands of critically endangered radiated and spider tortoises swept away by Cyclone Dikeledi’s devastating floods. The Lavavolo Tortoise Centre, home to 12,000 tortoises rescued from wildlife traffickers, suffered unprecedented flooding during the cyclone, leaving the reptiles struggling for survival. However, community members, police, and staff worked tirelessly and recovered most of the tortoises. Despite this, the sanctuary faces challenges as the flooding caused significant damage to its infrastructure. Radiated tortoises, native to Madagascar and critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching, have seen populations decline drastically, disappearing from 65% of their natural range. Despite the setback, the rescue effort underscores the community’s dedication to preserving these iconic species, whose striking shells make them targets for illegal trade.
Source: africanews