Community Rallies to Save Thousands of Endangered Tortoises After Cyclone Ravages Madagascar Sanctuary
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — In a remarkable display of unity, a community in southern Madagascar has come together to rescue thousands of critically endangered tortoises swept away by devastating floods caused by a tropical cyclone earlier this month. The Lavavolo Tortoise Center, home to 12,000 radiated and spider tortoises, was engulfed by floodwaters reaching a meter (3.2 feet) high, leaving the animals swimming for their lives.
The tortoises, many of which are between 25 and 50 years old, had been confiscated from illegal wildlife traffickers and were being rehabilitated at the sanctuary. When Cyclone Dikeledi struck, sanctuary staff, local community members, and even police officers sprang into action.Armed with large containers, they waded through the water to collect the bewildered tortoises. Some rescuers ingeniously converted damaged building structures into makeshift rafts to transport the animals to safety.
Hery Razafimamonjiraibe, the Madagascar director for the Turtle Survival Alliance, which operates the sanctuary, expressed optimism that more than 10,000 tortoises had been saved. “That’s not easy,” he said, “as tortoises can move faster than you think when they want to and rarely cooperate.” Tragically, around 700 tortoises were found dead, trapped by rocks and debris in the floodwaters.
“Fortunately, most of the tortoises were able to float,” Razafimamonjiraibe noted. “Tortoises are actually vrey good swimmers. You should see them.”
While the majority of the tortoises have been returned to the sanctuary, the floods dealt a severe blow to the center, destroying much of its infrastructure.the Lavavolo Tortoise Center had undergone a major renovation in 2018 after authorities seized 10,000 radiated tortoises from traffickers, necessitating a safe haven for the animals.
radiated tortoises, native to Madagascar and nearby islands like Reunion and Mauritius, are known for their striking yellow and black markings. They can grow up to 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) in length and live for over 100 years. In fact, British explorer Captain James Cook reportedly gifted a radiated tortoise to the Tongan royal family in 1777, which lived until 1966, reaching the remarkable age of 188.Despite their resilience, radiated and spider tortoises are critically endangered due to habitat destruction and poaching. They are not only consumed as food but also illegally trafficked as exotic pets. once numbering in the tens of millions, their population has drastically declined, and they have disappeared from 65% of their natural habitat.
The rescue effort highlights the urgent need for conservation and community involvement in protecting these ancient creatures. As the Lavavolo Tortoise Center begins to rebuild,the story of this heroic rescue serves as a testament to the power of collective action in the face of natural disasters.| Key Facts | Details |
|—————-|————-|
| Tortoises Rescued | Over 10,000 |
| Tortoises Lost | approximately 700 |
| Species | Radiated and Spider tortoises |
| Cause of Floods | Cyclone Dikeledi |
| Sanctuary | Lavavolo Tortoise Center |
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered |
This extraordinary rescue underscores the importance of safeguarding Madagascar’s unique biodiversity and the critical role of local communities in conservation efforts.
Community Rallies to Save Thousands of Endangered Tortoises After Cyclone Ravages Madagascar Sanctuary
Table of Contents
in the wake of cyclone Dikeledi, the Lavavolo Tortoise Center in Madagascar faced catastrophic flooding, threatening the lives of over 12,000 critically endangered radiated and spider tortoises. Thanks to a heroic community effort, more than 10,000 tortoises were saved. We sat down with Dr. Hery razafimamonjiraibe, Madagascar Director of the Turtle Survival Alliance, to discuss the rescue, the resilience of these ancient creatures, and the ongoing challenges in conservation.
The Immediate Response to the Crisis
Senior Editor: Dr. Razafimamonjiraibe, can you describe the scene when Cyclone Dikeledi hit the Lavavolo Tortoise Center? How did the team and community respond?
Dr. Razafimamonjiraibe: It was chaos. the floodwaters rose rapidly, reaching over a meter in height, and the tortoises were swept away. Staff, local community members, and even police officers rushed to the scene. We used large containers and even turned damaged structures into makeshift rafts to collect the tortoises. It was a race against time, but the collective effort was remarkable.
The Rescue Operation and Its Challenges
Senior Editor: Saving over 10,000 tortoises is no small feat. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the rescue?
Dr. Razafimamonjiraibe: Tortoises are deceptively fast when they want to be, and they don’t exactly cooperate in a crisis. We also had to navigate through debris and strong currents.Tragically, around 700 tortoises were lost, trapped under rocks or debris. But fortunately, most of them are excellent swimmers, which helped them survive floating in the floodwaters.
The Impact on the Lavavolo Tortoise center
Senior Editor: The floods caused significant damage to the sanctuary. How has this affected the facility and your work?
Dr. Razafimamonjiraibe: The damage was severe. Much of our infrastructure, including enclosures and rehabilitation facilities, was destroyed. We’re now focused on rebuilding, but it’s a massive undertaking. The sanctuary had been recently renovated in 2018 after we received 10,000 tortoises confiscated from traffickers. This incident is a setback, but we’re determined to continue our mission.
The Plight of Radiated and Spider Tortoises
Senior Editor: Radiated and spider tortoises are critically endangered.Coudl you elaborate on the threats they face and their significance to Madagascar’s biodiversity?
Dr. Razafimamonjiraibe: These tortoises are unique to Madagascar and nearby islands. They’re known for their striking yellow and black patterns and can live over 100 years—some even reach 188 years! But habitat destruction and poaching have decimated their populations. once numbering in the tens of millions, they’ve disappeared from 65% of their natural habitat. They’re not only hunted for food but also illegally trafficked as exotic pets.
Community Involvement and Conservation
Senior Editor: This rescue highlights the importance of community involvement. How can local communities play a role in protecting these tortoises?
Dr. Razafimamonjiraibe: Community engagement is crucial. Local residents are often the first responders in crises like this, and their knowledge of the land is invaluable. We also work to educate communities about the importance of these tortoises and the dangers of poaching. Conservation isn’t just about protecting animals—it’s about empowering people to be stewards of their environment.
Looking ahead: Rebuilding and Hope
Senior Editor: What’s next for the Lavavolo Tortoise Center? How can the global community support your efforts?
dr. Razafimamonjiraibe: Rebuilding is our immediate priority, but we also need long-term support to strengthen our infrastructure and conservation programs. Donations, awareness, and advocacy are all vital. Every bit of support helps us protect these ancient creatures and ensure they have a future in Madagascar.
Conclusion
Dr. Razafimamonjiraibe’s insights underscore the resilience of Madagascar’s endangered tortoises and the power of community action in the face of disaster.This unusual rescue is a testament to the urgent need for conservation and the critical role of local and global efforts in safeguarding our planet’s unique biodiversity.
