Two giant Aldabra tortoises gifted to Nehru Zoological park

HYDERABAD: A pair of giant Aldabra tortoises, brought to India as a gift from the President of Seychelles, was on Monday handed over to the Nehru Zoological Park here.


"A pair of giant Aldabra tortoises (male and female) which is endemic to Seychelles, both aged about 20 years, was received from Raymond A Brioche, Chief Executive Officer Botanical Garden, Seychelles, by the officials of the Nehru Zoological Park," an official release said.


The Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi, has given its permission to house these tortoises at Nehru Zoological Park, it said.

Raymond A Brioche, after handing over the two tortoises, visited the zoo.

He appreciated the cleanliness and hygiene of the zoo and described its maintenance remarkable, the release said.

Zoo Parks Director Sidhanand Kukretty, Nehru Zoological Park Curator Shivani Dogra and other officials thanked Brioche for gifting the tortoises to the Park, it added.

The Aldabra giant tortoise from the islands of the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, is said to be one of the largest tortoises in the world.