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Spending nine weeks on Aride Island was an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will always cherish. From the moment I arrived, I was awed by the island's untouched beauty and the warm welcome from the conservation team. As part of my master’s research project, I had the unique opportunity to study wild Aldabra giant tortoises in their natural habitats and witness firsthand their role as island ecosystem engineers. My project, "Evaluating the Role of Aldabra Giant Tortoises in Island Ecosystem Restoration: Ecological Impacts on Seed Dispersal and Germination Success," was incredibly rewarding, providing me with many new skills and experiences within the field of tropical island conservation. Most of my days were spent tracking and observing the tortoises, often from behind trees or crouched in tall grass, as I learned about their feeding behaviors and seed dispersal patterns. A less glamorous but essential part of my fieldwork involved examining tortoise droppings for fruit seeds, which I then planted to observe their germination success. Watching the first seedlings sprout was incredibly rewarding. Our research revealed that the tortoises’ movements across the island significantly contribute to seed dispersal, enhancing plant diversity and aiding in the regeneration of native and endemic plants. These findings show us the importance of reintroducing giant tortoises to islands where they had previously gone extinct. My time on Aride Island was unforgettable and deepened my passion for becoming a wildlife conservationist. In our spare time, we enjoyed walking barefoot, hiking the rocky hills, and snorkeling above the coral reef. Living with minimal internet access and without modern luxuries allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the natural environment. The lack of daily comforts, such as consistent access to drinking water, reminded us of global issues many communities face and taught us how to adapt to remote conditions. To future volunteers and researchers, I offer this advice: embrace every moment in this tropical paradise. There is nowhere else you’ll experience such pristine nature, with thousands of birds and reptiles always keeping you company. 
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Recently, we had a visit from Jo Lilicrap, one of our volunteers in 1991, on Aride Island Nature Reserve. This is what she wrote: "I loved being on the island from my first day there, despite the relative hardships of life on Aride. I didn’t leave the island much during my time there, so we relied on the boatmen to buy our supplies every week, and we could also pick and eat fruits and vegetables grown on the island. We were also fortunate that Ogilvey fished regularly and cooked us gorgeous Creole fish and other #Seychelles dishes. If the boat was going to #Praslin, we would get up early to pick fruit and vegetables to sell—I specifically remember picking chillis, a job I didn’t particularly enjoy. Another job I disliked was hand washing bed sheets with well water, something I was expecting to relive when I visited in April this year, and which I happily avoided! This time round, it also felt like luxury to have a flushing toilet, shower, fridge, and ceiling fan. Something we had in 1991 that is not available today was an ‘oven’ which could be placed over the stove flame—we regularly cooked cakes and homemade pizza; talking to the staff on Aride, I think it’s something they would appreciate having! Other differences were the introduction of tortoises and magpie robins, a fuller canopy on the plateau and a few more buildings. Despite the differences, so much felt familiar when we arrived on Aride. The beauty of the beach still amazed, the heat and humidity still made everyday tasks tiring, the mosquitoes still left their mark, and the noise of the waves and birds still lulled us to sleep. I left the island feeling very relaxed and knowing that Aride is such a special place that must be protected for future generations. I hope I will be able to return soon to witness the ongoing work there." |
