Protect. Preserve. Rewild. Restore.

We are the Indian Ocean Tortoise Alliance

“Tortoises do no harm and they do a lot of good.”

— Professor Whit Gibbons

The Indian Ocean Tortoise Alliance (IOTA) drives and supports tortoise conservation and rewilding projects on islands in the Western Indian Ocean.

About IOTA

Our Mission: Protecting Tortoises, Preserving Ecosystems

Until a few centuries ago, islands throughout the Western Indian Ocean were home to a diverse range of tortoises. However, following human arrival, nearly all giant tortoise species went extinct, leaving the Aldabra giant tortoise as the sole survivor.

IOTA aims to drive and support the rewilding of these vacant islands with Aldabra giant tortoises, while also strengthening conservation initiatives for this species and other regional tortoise species in the wild. Global, regional, and local cooperation at both governmental and community levels is now more critical than ever.

See IOTA in Action

Preserving Biodiversity in the Face of Climate Change.

The Seychelles archipelago, comprising over 115 islands, is home to many endemic and endangered species, including the Aldabra giant tortoise. However, on the island of Aldabra, increasing drought and rising temperatures are already causing significant challenges. Moreover, current sea level rise threatens to submerge large parts of the atoll within the lifetime of some of the tortoises living there today.

Urgent action is required to mitigate the potential loss of the wild Aldabra giant tortoise population.

Learn More about IOTA

Support Our Mission

Your donation helps protect the Aldabra giant tortoise and preserve the unique biodiversity of the Seychelles.

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Fun Aldabra Tortoise Facts

Can sleep up to 18 hours a day

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Can smell water from over 1km away

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Can drink water through their nose

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Extremely sensitive especially on their skin and shells

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Have good eye sight, can see colours, and their favourite colour is yellow

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Can sleep up to 18 hours a day 〰️ Can smell water from over 1km away 〰️ Can drink water through their nose 〰️ Extremely sensitive especially on their skin and shells 〰️ Have good eye sight, can see colours, and their favourite colour is yellow 〰️

Meet the Tortoises

Aldabra Tortoise

Aldabchelys gigantea
One of two remaining species of giant tortoise on Earth, the Aldabra giant tortoise, is the last extant species of a clade of giant tortoise that inhabited islands of the Western Indian Ocean. They shared a common ancestor with the Galapagos tortoise around 20 million years ago.

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Radiated Tortoise

Astrochelys radiata
Radiated tortoises, or Sokake in Malagasy, are considered to be one the most beautiful species of tortoise in the world. They are native to the dry, spiny forests of southern and southwestern Madagascar but have also been introduced to the nearby islands of Reunion, Mauritius and the Seychelles as pets.

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Ploughshare Tortoise

Astrochelys yniphora
The Ploughshare tortoise, or Angonoka in Malagasy, is endemic to the tropical dry forests of Madagascar’s northwest coast. Restricted to just a 160 km2 area in Baly Bay National Park, they are currently the most threatened tortoise species in the world.

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Tom Kaplan

Founder & Chairperson

“Giant tortoises had managed to survive on many islands worldwide until humans finally arrived. Since then, man has been the driving force behind the extinction of these enchanting creatures.”

”What our species has undone, however, can be fixed. In a spirit of collaboration and camaraderie, IOTA will work to bring people and organizations together across the Western Indian Ocean to conserve and manage the Aldabra tortoise, along with other endangered species that can be preserved within this initiative.”

Meet the IOTA team