Scientists discover 180,000 giant tortoises on one Seychelles island

Live updates

1. 54m ago

   Seychelles Giant Tortoises Reach Record 180,000

   Researchers have discovered approximately 180,000 giant tortoises living on the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, marking the largest population estimate ever recorded for the species. This free-roaming population now surpasses the human population of the Seychelles. The survey was conducted by the Seychelles Islands Foundation in collaboration with the University of Exeter. The milestone reflects a major conservation success after the species previously faced near extinction when numbers on the atoll fell below 1,000.

   Why it matters

   The Aldabra giant tortoise population has achieved a stable recovery following decades of conservation efforts. This growth highlights the effectiveness of targeted island habitat protection. Separate genetic research on Jonathan, a 194-year-old giant tortoise on St. Helena, revealed genetic variants linked to DNA repair and stable gene regulation.

   What is confirmed

   • A landmark survey revealed approximately 180,000 Aldabra giant tortoises inhabit the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles.
   • The survey was led by the Seychelles Islands Foundation and the University of Exeter.
   • The tortoise population now outnumbers the human population of the Seychelles.
   • Giant tortoises on the atoll once fell below 1,000.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Gene regulation mechanisms found in a 194-year-old tortoise on St. Helena could extend the human healthspan.

   What to watch next

   • Further updates from the Seychelles Islands Foundation regarding long-term management of the Aldabra Atoll population
   • Additional findings on tortoise genetics and aging processes
   Sources used for this update (23)

   1. The Guardian — Scientists discover 180,000 giant tortoises on one Seychelles island
   2. CNN — Once near extinction, these giant tortoises now outnumber people in the Seychelles, survey finds
   3. University of Exeter News — New study reports largest-ever population estimate for Seychelles’ giant tortoises
   4. Phys.org — Giant tortoises outnumber people in Seychelles, with nearly 183,000 on Aldabra
   5. ScienceAlert — After Almost Going Extinct, Giant Tortoises Now Outnumber People in The Seychelles
   6. Yahoo — Giant tortoises now outnumber people in the Seychelles
   7. Washington Times — Scientists find that Seychelles’ giant tortoises outnumber human population
   8. AOL.com — Giant Tortoises Now Outnumber The Entire Human Population Of This Nation By A Mind-Boggling Margin
   9. colombiaone.com — Scientists Find 180,000 Giant Tortoises in Seychelles: Is the Endangered Species Finally Safe?
   10. People.com — Giant Tortoises Once Fell Below 1,000 on a Seychelles Atoll. Now They Outnumber the Country’s Human Population
   11. Bioengineer.org — Jonathan the 194-Year-Old Tortoise Reveals a Genetic Secret to Aging Slowly
   12. www.theguardian.com — Scientists discover 180,000 giant tortoises on one Seychelles island | Wildlife
   confidence 100%