New Year’s Day on Denis island is not solely about ringing in another year – it also marks the birthday of one of our most famous island residents. Toby, the oldest giant tortoise on the island, celebrated his 120th birthday on 1st January, with a little help from Denis staff and guests alike.
The team from the kitchen and gardens prepared a giant tortoise-sized “fruit pie” for Toby to share with his family and friends in the spacious tortoise park where they reside. “The guests loved the chance to interact with the island’s oldest resident,” Denis Island Resident Manager Werner du Preez said. “Toby’s become a bit of a celebrity.”
Seychelles is home to the world’s largest population of giant tortoises, with at least 150,000 believed to be interspersed throughout the archipelago’s 115 islands. Most of the giant tortoises are native to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- The team from the kitchen and gardens prepared a giant tortoise-sized “fruit pie” for Toby to share with his family and friends in the spacious tortoise park where they reside.
- Toby, the oldest giant tortoise on the island, celebrated his 120th birthday on 1st January, with a little help from Denis staff and guests alike.
- Seychelles is home to the world's largest population of giant tortoises, with at least 150,000 believed to be interspersed throughout the archipelago's 115 islands.
