Over their century of existence, African spurred tortoisescan easily exceed one hundred kilos on the scale. On the panoramic terrace of the Oceanographic Museum, in the heart of an 80m² landscaped enclosure called “Turtle Island”, 49 juvenile specimens with much smaller measurements are automatically pampered by the caretakers of the structure.
The result of several clutches between 2014 and 2017, these small herbivorous reptiles have for ascendants seven Centrochelys sulcata offered, in 2012, by the former and late President of the Republic of Mali, Amadou Toumani Touré, to Prince Albert II on the occasion of an official trip.
Then addressed to Robert Calcagno, director general of the Oceanographic Institute, these spurred turtles have since made it possible to make visitors aware of their protection, because of their status as an endangered species. [elle est inscrite sur la liste rouge de l’Union internationale pour la conservation de la nature car menacée par les prédateurs naturels (chacals, hyènes, varans…) et les activités commerciales de l’Homme].
Of these 49 descending turtles, 46 will be characterized in Senegal as part of a program to strengthen local populations [trois restent à Monaco pour continuer à sensibiliser les visiteurs du Musée océanographique]. “150 turtles were designated during the last census in this country”, character Robert Calcagno.
Before blending in with the wildlife, in the heart of the Koyli-Alpha nature reserve, it will take several years.
We detail the process.
The conditioning
With a view to their transport by plane to Dakar, the 46 miners were packed yesterday morning in six boxes designed for this purpose. A mission carried out, in part, by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, well helped by Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, on their 8th birthday.
“The transport of live animals meets very strict standards, insists Olivier Brunel, head of the aquarium department. The cubicles are adapted so that the turtles do not turn over during the trip or end up on top of each other. Ventilation holes allow them to breathe fresh air, and hay has been laid out to create a reassuring environment and avoid stress for them.”
By road to Paris, by air to Dakar
Due to the lack of thermoregulation in the holds of short-haul aircraft, the journey between the Principality and Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport was made yesterday afternoon by road. “We transmit turtles, tropical animals, around 20°C”, explains Olivier Brunel.
Between Paris and Dakar, a long-haul flight scheduled for Monday with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, it is the pilots who will regulate the temperature of the holds from the cockpit. Between 21 and 23°C, precisely.
The choice of destination
The tense geopolitical context in Mali, from where the egg-laying turtles came to light, prompted the Oceanographic Institute to favor Senegal, where the species is in danger. For this program to strengthen populations, he joined forces with the African Institute for the Study and Protection of Turtles, managed by Tomas Diagne, a world-renowned expert. “This operation is exemplary in our eyes because, in Africa, turtles are almost always exported to supply international trade, testifies Tomas Diagne. It is therefore exceptionally rare and beneficial to see them return to strengthen already weakened wild populations.
And once there?
Upon their arrival at their destination, this Tuesday at the “Turtle Village” in Noflaye, the little turtles will be placed in quarantine for six months in an observation enclosure. “This will allow them to acclimatize to the change of environment, to food”says Olivier Brunel.
At the end of this forced isolation, they will be delivered to a fenced part of the nature reserve in order to understand the living conditions in nature.
Finally, the last step, they will recover their freedom among the wildlife.
Their evolution and adaptation will then be scrutinized very closely by the country’s students and scientists. A nice story.
All about this species
Why this name?
The African spurred tortoise, considered the largest continental tortoise, takes its name from the deep concentric furrows that adorn its shell.
His weight
It can weigh up to more than 100kg.
Its lifespan
She can live for a hundred years.
Its location
Its natural environment is in sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia, in areas where it rarely rains and where temperatures are extreme (47°C in summer, -6°C in winter)
His characteristics
It’s a burrowing turtle. It digs deep burrows, even galleries, to escape heat peaks or too cold nights.
What does she eat?
It feeds mainly on herbaceous plants, but also on wood bark and even carrion.