Brief

Aldabra giant tortoise population tops 180,000, outnumbering Seychelles residents

A joint Seychelles Islands Foundation and University of Exeter study estimates 183,000 adult and sub‑adult tortoises on Aldabra Atoll, surpassing the islands' human count.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 09 Oct 2026 23:22:22 GMT

A joint survey by the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) and the University of Exeter estimates that roughly 183,000 adult and sub‑adult Aldabra giant tortoises now inhabit Aldabra Atoll, exceeding the Seychelles' human population of about 123,000 at the end of 2025, Gulf News reported.

The estimate, published in the journal Ecology and Evolution, draws on five years of monitoring data collected between 2018 and 2022. Researchers applied advanced statistical modelling to account for animals hidden under vegetation or resting in shade, which earlier counts missed, leading to a higher figure than the previously cited 100,000 from the late 1990s.

Frauke Fleischer‑Dogley, chief executive of SIF, said the numbers demonstrate the impact of long‑term conservation, adding, “More than 180,000 giant tortoises roaming freely on our atoll is proof of what long‑term commitment to conservation can achieve.”

While the population appears stable over the survey period, scientists caution that climate change and invasive species remain threats, warning that longer and more frequent droughts could affect the turtles’ habitat.

Key facts

• The survey estimates about 183,000 adult and sub‑adult Aldabra giant tortoises on Aldabra Atoll. (gulfnews.com)
• Seychelles' human population was approximately 123,000 at the end of 2025. (gulfnews.com)
• The estimate is based on monitoring data from 2018‑2022 and uses statistical modelling to include hidden animals. (gulfnews.com)
• Frauke Fleischer‑Dogley, SIF chief executive, highlighted the figure as proof of successful long‑term conservation. (gulfnews.com)
• Scientists warn climate change and invasive species continue to threaten the tortoise population. (gulfnews.com)

Sources

• [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Giant Tortoises Surpass Human Population in Seychelles: A Conservation Triumph”