Curieuse Island Achievement Report July 2017

Successful session of PIT tagging Juvenile Aldabra Giant Tortoises at Curiuese Marine National Park.

Objective
Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagging juvenile tortoises with Petscan tags allows for
identification at a) on-site locations; to monitor growth and development, and b) off-site locations,
to discourage theft.

Long-term objectives:
Increase scientific knowledge and baseline data on the health of ecosystems on Curieuse Island.

Summary
Global Vision International (GVI) staff members and volunteers worked with members from
Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA) to PIT tag 24 juvenile tortoises whilst also collecting
morphometric data on each. During a secondary survey, the juvenile tortoises were assessed to
determine whether the PIT tags were retained.

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Report
On Thursday 3rd of August 2017, a group of GVI members (staff and volunteers) collaborated with
SNPA to PIT tag 24 juvenile Aldabra Giant tortoises (Aldrabrachelys gigantea). The process was
conducted within the Tortoise Nursery located at the Rangers Station in Baie Laraie, Curieuse.

For each juvenile tortoise, the tagging site (just to the left of the tortoises head and neck, parallel to
the neck, and just above the plastron) was sterilized and the Petscan PIT tag was inserted. The
tagging was completed by trained GVI staff and SNPA members. Following the insertion,
morphometric data was collected by GVI volunteers. Weight, over-curve-carapace length (midline),
height of carapace, plastron length, and third dorsal scute width (total width and inner natal scute
width) were measured and recorded. The secondary survey to measure retention was carried out a
week later, Thursday 10th of August 2017, by GVI members. Using the appropriate PIT tag scanner,
volunteers scanned the juvenile tortoises to locate/read the PIT tag individual ID number, ensuring
the tortoise(s) had retained the PIT tag.

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One of GVI Seychelles Long-term Objectives is to increase scientific knowledge and baseline data on
the health of ecosystems on Curieuse Island. PIT tagging juvenile tortoises not only helps in
identifying individuals as a deterrent to theft, but also aids in monitoring the growth and
development of Aldabra Giant tortoises.

During the tagging session, GVI members were able to work with SNPA members, strengthening the
relationship between GVI and our local partners. Volunteers were also able to learn more about life
within the Seychelles and SNPA from its members. Whilst conducting the second survey, volunteers
interacted with tourists, engaging them in discussions regarding the introduction of Giant tortoises
to Curieuse, the reason behind the survey/PIT tagging, and the work that GVI does on the island.
These interactions increased the awareness of environmental issues amongst volunteers and
visitors, another one of our Long-term Objectives here on Curiuese Island.

Upon completion of the second survey, it was found that all 24 juvenile tortoises had retained the
PIT tags.

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