Rewilding of the Aldabra Tortoise

Our presentation will accentuate the importance of the Indian Ocean Tortoise Alliance (IOTA) mission, which is to rewild the Aldabra Giant Tortoise throughout those islands of the western Indian Ocean that have lost their giant tortoises to human caused extinction and to use these tortoises as ecosystem engineers to aid in the restoration and revitalization of the native ecosystems of the region. IOTA also promotes the use of the tortoises in healthy ecotourism, increases the use of the tortoise as an icon and ambassador for the region, and uses all of these efforts to promote regional cooperation among the nations of the region.