塞舌尔岛屿基金会和埃克塞特大学联合开展的调查发现，阿尔达布拉环礁岛上生活着约18万只阿尔达布拉象龟，其中最佳估计为近18.3万只成年和亚成年个体1。这一数字创下该物种有记录以来的最高水平，远超上一次广泛引用的20世纪末数据——当时仅有10万只1。研究人员通过分析2018年至2022年间五年的象龟计数数据得出这一结论，相关成果已发表在科学期刊《生态学与进化》上1。
这被称为印度洋地区最伟大的保护成功故事之一1。19世纪时阿尔达布拉环礁上仅剩不足1,000只象龟，种群濒临灭绝1。1981年该环礁被指定为严格自然保护区，1982年列入联合国教科文组织遗产地名录1。塞舌尔岛屿基金会首席执行官弗劳克·弗莱舍-多格利表示："180,000多只象龟在我们的环礁上自由漫步，是长期保护承诺能够取得的成就的证明"1。
尽管取得显著成果，这一象龟种群仍面临多重威胁1。气候变化导致的干旱加剧、海平面上升以及入侵哺乳动物（野生猫和黑鼠）都对种群构成风险1。
A survey led by the Seychelles Islands Foundation and the University of Exeter has revealed approximately 180,000 Aldabra giant tortoises inhabiting Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles, representing the highest recorded population of the species to date 1. The best estimate places the number at nearly 183,000 adult and sub-adult tortoises 1. This finding marks a significant update to previous population assessments, with the last widely cited figure from the late twentieth century standing at 100,000 individuals 1.
The research, which analyzed tortoise count data collected over five years between 2018 and 2022, has been published in the scientific journal Ecology and Evolution 1. The atoll has served as a strict nature reserve since 1981 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 1. The dramatic population recovery underscores a remarkable conservation achievement in the Indian Ocean region 1. Falk Fleischer-Dogley, Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Islands Foundation, stated: "More than 180,000 tortoises roaming freely on our atoll is a testament to what long-term conservation commitment can achieve" 1. The population's growth is particularly notable given that fewer than 1,000 tortoises remained on the island during the nineteenth century 1.
Despite this conservation success, the species faces ongoing threats including increased drought resulting from climate change, rising sea levels, and invasive mammalian species such as feral cats and black rats 1.
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