“This is a great demonstration of the confidence the EAZA management has in us. That we can run this demanding programme competently and carry out population management in accordance with EAZA rules and at an adequate scientific level based on the latest knowledge,” said Miroslav Bobek, Director of Prague Zoo. “It is also a reflection of the important position we have in breeding giant tortoises and reptiles in general.”

At the moment, there are a total of 420 of these representatives of the largest tortoises living in 81 European institutions. In the wild they live on Aldabra and several other islands in the Indian Ocean.

“The programme will formulate a long-term plan to care for the population as well as breeding guidelines,” said Ivan Rehák, detailing the next steps. “Now we must carry out the pertinent population, genetic and demographic analyses, research their reproductive and trophic biology, ecology, ethology and physiology. We will also start cooperating with partners in other regions and partners in in situ conservation.”

Prague Zoo has ten giant tortoises in its Giant Tortoise Pavilion.

“This is proof that we take the breeding of giant tortoises very seriously. It is also an impulse to intensify breeding care on a European-wide level,” added Petr Velenský, the curator of reptiles.