While the dramatic rescue of wildlife from illegal export often grabs headlines, the subsequent recovery process is a lengthy, less glamorous journey. The day-to-day care of confiscated turtles and tortoises is often overlooked, and yet it is arguably the most critical step on the road to reintroduction. It takes a skilled and dedicated team of keepers and veterinarians to perform regular health checks, prepare tonnes of food, and haul water to dishes across enclosures, giving tortoises their best chance of returning to the wild. Nowhere is this effort more critical than in Madagascar.
In 2018, Turtle Survival Alliance Madagascar was involved in two seizures totaling 17,000 Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata), stockpiled for export. Today, Turtle Survival Alliance’s two main tortoise centers in Madagascar provide daily care and security for over 20,000 tortoises, requiring over 50 Malagasy staff. It takes over 3,000kg of food each week to support these tortoises. The scale of this rescue effort cannot be understated.
Their rehabilitation and return to the wild is not just important for the survival of the species, but for the communities that have long revered this emblematic species.
“As a Tandroy, I grew up with the responsibility of protecting tortoises and it is part of who we are. Today, working at TSA allows me to carry on that tradition alongside colleagues who share the same commitment to ensuring these animals survive for future generations.” – Mbala, Tortoise Keeper at the Tortoise Conservation Center (TCC) in the Androy region of Madagascar.
The future of these tortoises lies in the hands of TSA’s diverse team of researchers, community members, students, and veterinarians. Turtle Survival Alliance Canada (TSAC) is proud to support this dedicated team in their efforts to rescue, recover, and reintroduce Radiated Tortoises. Join us in helping them finish their long journey home.