Rodrigues: Francois Leguat Reserve – Giant Tortoises
Rodrigues is an island seemingly lost in the middle of the Indian Ocean, hours of flying to the nearest land (Mauritius). Before humans arrived, it had hundreds of thousands of giant tortoises roam the arid lands here. By mid 18th century – they were all extinct and slaughtered into oblivion. The Francois Leguat Reserve is restoring the old island with the giant tortoises from the nearby Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles. There are now over 2000 of then roaming around a spectacular canyon valley replanted only with plants that are native to Rodrigues. Just like hundreds of years ago when people first stepped into the island – the giant tortoises are not afraid and approach up close, sometimes very very close!
