One of the best places to witness giant tortoises in their natural habitat is Baie Laraie on Curieuse Island in the Seychelles. This island is essentially a tortoise kingdom. There are about three hundred of them roaming around, and they are surprisingly active – in a “tortoise” kind of way. They munch on grass, take luxurious mud baths in shallow ponds, and sorting out tortoise-level drama.
Don’t expect a deep conversation, though, they are busy with important tortoise business and visitors are rarely on their “to-do” list. Trying to attract them, never stand in their path. A determined tortoise is like a slow-motion locomotive. A quarter of a ton makes a strong argument.
Slightly discouraged by our lack of mutual understanding, we headed off to explore the island. The trail winds through jungles and mangroves where colorful crabs scuttle about and mudskippers fish stare at you from crystal-clear streams. Eventually, the path lead to the stunning Anse St. José beach with snow-white sand, where surprising encounter awaited us.
Driven by a true explorer’s spirit, one adventurous male tortoise had wandered to the far end of the island. Cut off from tortoise society, he found himself surrounded by tourists instead. In search of companionship, he has mastered the art of socialization. He “sprints” toward visitors, stretching out his long neck for a friendly scratch.
As evening falls and the humans leave the sanctuary, and our tortoise stays behind, waiting for new acquaintances in the morning. He seems perfectly content and in no rush to return to his relatives. And honestly, why hurry? He’s got a long, very tortoise-sized life ahead.
