
A remarkable community effort is underway in southern Madagascar to save thousands of endangered tortoises swept away from their sanctuary by recent floods caused by Cyclone Dikeledi.
The Lavavolo Tortoise Center, home to 12,000 confiscated radiated and spider tortoises, was inundated by floodwaters, leaving the reptiles stranded. Sanctuary staff, local residents, and even police officers joined forces in a daring rescue operation, wading through floodwaters to collect the bewildered tortoises.
Despite the challenges posed by the floodwaters, rescuers successfully recovered more than 10,000 tortoises, though hundreds unfortunately perished.
The Lavavolo Tortoise Center, established to house tortoises confiscated from illegal wildlife traffickers, suffered significant damage during the floods.
Radiated tortoises, native to Madagascar, are critically endangered due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trafficking. These long-lived reptiles, known for their striking yellow and black markings, are highly sought after in the illegal pet trade.
This rescue operation serves as a testament to the resilience of the local community and the importance of collaborative efforts in protecting endangered species.