A new generation of tortoises salutes you

In nature, mamma tortoise and turtle dig a hole and deposit eggs. Next, it is a combination of sun and rain that decides how many eggs will hatch. Sometimes none at all.

How happy we were when spotting hatchlings of Madagascar Big-headed turtle (Erymnochelys madagascariensis) last week! Crawling out of the ground in search of a pool, these rare reptiles will double the number of this critically endangered turtle at Zazamalala. According to the internet, these are the most threatened reptiles in the world, because they do not occur in a protected area. Well, Zazamalala is the first breeding center where Big-headed youngsters are released in the ponds in the Zazamalala forest.

In order to optimize hatching of tortoise and turtle eggs, we purchased sophisticated electric incubators. From August on, we have to check the mamma tortoises and turtles when digging a hole for the eggs. These eggs will be brought over to the incubators, and we hope for a better result. The problem with the Madagascar Big-headed turtle is that mamma leaves the water at night for digging and depositing eggs. So where are the nests? We’ve got a lot of work to do at Zazamalala!