Please click on any of the above topics, or look in the dropdown sections for more information on Aldabra, and other tortoises.

 

How Can We Help?

 

 

 

   This section is for researchers and scientists looking for animals to study, for the greater good of the Aldabra Species.

 

   Here at Aldabra Giant Tortoises UK, we are fortunate to have a large group of healthy Aldabra tortoises, both males and females. They have all come to us from different areas of the country, at different times, which means that it is highly unlikely that they have all come from the same batch. Although, we do know that a couple of them are very likely to be related, if that is of interest.

 

   They range in sizes from a couple  of  four year olds, to a much larger male and female in their late 30's.

 

   We are also hoping to set up a UK Aldabra Army, in the future, to invite, and help, the many other Aldabra keepers in the UK to share their knowledge and husbandry techniques for the benefit of all. Many of these other owners would no doubt be interested in taking part in studies too but have no idea on how they could become involved.

 

   We believe that there is around 170-200 Aldabra in this country and only 40 of those are in the zoos and wildlife collections, so that would be a lot of citizen scientist owners, and unknown Aldabra tortoises, potentially available for researchers to utilise.

 

   Please fill in the form below, with your details to contact Adrian about the possibility of our tortoises taking part in any Aldabra research suggestions or projects you have planned.

 

 

   Our Aldabras are involved in a project by vets to study their eyes and they have been part of this study group for a number of years (pre Covid restrictions).

 

   A number of years ago, some of  our Aldabras and Sulcatas were part of the initial study group by Dr Andrea Currylow, and other scientific  researchers at California University, to monitor how the animals used their environment compared to the wild tortoises, in regards to temperature and humidity. This involved having data loggers fitted to their shells. Unfortunately it was not a completely successful experiment, for them,  as the tortoises managed to knock several of them off their shells, before the trial was over, despite being affixed with the strongest epoxy resin.

 

 

 

A number of the smaller tortoises in this picture have grown considerably since this photo was taken.

 

    Although we would like our animals to become involved in the effort to save their species, and further the knowledge of the Aldabra tortoise, we would not allow them to be repeatedly involved in intensive, invasive, testing or study, or recommend that other peoples Aldabras were treated that way. We have no desire to subject them to constant rounds of being prodded and poked, every day.

 

   As we have said, we are willing to have our animals work with researchers and most of the tortoises are happy with human interaction but we do not wish to over stress them for any reason. Primarily we want them to be happy Aldabras just behaving naturally, in their own space, and if we can learn something from that then it is all for the greater good. So, please do not be offended if we decline any of your suggestions, at this time, it may just be necessary to postpone it for the future. 

 

 

   

Sulcata Tortoise

 

   We also have a large number of healthy Sulcata tortoises ranging from 15cm animals to adult males and females, who lay eggs. Due to their sometimes unsocial nature towards each other they are divided into multiple groups, to keep the peace.

 

   If anyone is looking for a reasearch group of Sulcata, containing a wide span of sizes, and ages, to study please feel free to contact us.

 

 

Two of the boys

 

 

 

Joke!

What do you call tortoise paparazzi?
Snapping turtles.