An environmental experiment in Senegal has captured global attention: the reintroduction of African spurred tortoises at the edge of the Sahara. The story began with a striking image of tortoises released in an arid region, creating burrows under the sand and generating green patches in a previously inhospitable landscape.
Reintroduction of tortoises in the Sahara: an unexpected success?
The reintroduction of the Centrochelys sulcata tortoise in Senegal is part of a conservation effort in the Ferlo region and the community reserve of Koyli Alpha. Although the initial figures of 500 tortoises were exaggerated, the documented work is impressive. In 2017, the African Chelonian Institute reintroduced 20 tortoises with support from FAO/Action Against Desertification and Turtle Conservation Fund.
Additionally, the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco documented the transfer of 46 juveniles to Senegal in 2022, as part of a plan to reinforce local populations, which included quarantine, acclimatization, and thorough monitoring.
It is crucial to specify these figures because they reveal the true value of the project. These tortoises, terrestrial giants weighing up to 100 kilos, play significant ecological roles, from grazing to digging, contributing to improved water retention in their environment.
The Koyli Alpha reserve, located in a Sahelian area of Senegal, experiences extreme temperatures and scarce rainfall. The OHM Tessékéré project, linked to CNRS, works to mitigate these climatic and human effects, promoting the restoration of ecosystems through collaboration with the Great Green Wall initiative.
According to satellite data from the Sentinel-2 program, 4500 hectares of degraded lands have been restored in Koyli Alpha, where the reintroduction of fauna is part of the process. The tortoises, although not the sole reason for the observed changes, are a crucial piece in this restoration strategy.
Ultimately, this effort is not a “magic cure,” but a reminder that ecosystem restoration is complex, slow, and multifaceted. The conservation of the spurred tortoise, listed as “endangered” by the IUCN, is vital, as it faces threats such as illegal trade and habitat loss.
The reintroduction initiative highlights the importance of maintaining and restoring lost ecological connections. The reintroduction of tortoises is not just a step towards revitalizing the landscape, but also a call to action on the urgency of conserving the species that help keep our ecosystems in balance.
