Floods Devastate Tortoise Sanctuary in Southern Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi caused extensive flooding at the Lavavola Tortoise Center in Madagascar, resulting in the deaths of 450 tortoises. Hery Razafimamonjiraibe described the unprecedented nature of the flooding, exacerbated by the region’s recent drought. Community volunteers are helping to feed the surviving tortoises while conservationists face ongoing challenges to protect these endangered species.

Severe flooding from Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has devastated the Lavavola Tortoise Center in southwestern Madagascar, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of tortoises. The cyclone, which struck on January 16, triggered torrential downpours, raising water levels by 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) across a 10-hectare (25-acre) area. Despite efforts to save many tortoises, 450 radiated and spider tortoises were found dead, some trapped and others swept away by the floodwaters.

Hery Razafimamonjiraibe, country director for Turtle Survival Alliance Madagascar, remarked on the unprecedented nature of this flooding, noting it occurred within a mere 20 hours. The region has recently faced extreme drought, with temperatures soaring beyond 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit). Consequently, the parched soil was ill-equipped to absorb such heavy rainfall, worsening the flooding impact.

Currently, the surviving tortoises have been relocated to elevated enclosures; however, prolonged exposure to cold, wet conditions elevates their risk of pneumonia. Floodwaters are gradually receding, but transportation to the Lavavola center remains difficult due to inundated roads, affecting access to necessary supplies. Fortunately, no staff members were injured, though 15 employees’ homes were heavily damaged due to flooding.

Community volunteers have stepped in to aid during this crisis by providing food for the animals. One volunteer group delivered over 2 metric tons of food to the tortoises, showcasing admirable community resilience. The radiated tortoise population has declined significantly due to illegal activities, dropping from over 12 million to about a quarter of its former size, underscoring the urgent conservation needs.

Before impacting Madagascar, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi wreaked havoc in northern Mozambique, where it resulted in 11 fatalities and affected around 249,000 individuals. The toll of both the cyclone and its aftermath places additional pressure on conservation efforts for the vulnerable tortoise species in Madagascar.

The Lavavola Tortoise Center serves as a vital sanctuary for critically endangered tortoise species in Madagascar, housing over 12,000 animals. In recent years, the region has suffered from both drought and extreme weather events, which have heightened the vulnerability of the tortoise populations. The radiated tortoise, once abundant on Earth, is particularly threatened due to poaching and illegal trafficking, further complicating conservation attempts and highlighting the importance of protective measures.

The flooding at the Lavavola Tortoise Center illustrates the dire consequences of climate anomalies, notably impacting the survival of already endangered tortoise species. Community involvement demonstrates hope amidst adversity, as volunteers worked to ensure the ongoing care of these animals. The need for robust conservation strategies remains critical to protect Madagascar’s unique tortoise populations and mitigate the effects of future natural disasters.

Original Source: news.mongabay.com