News & Events

Catastrophic Flooding Engulfs Lavavolo Tortoise Center

For Immediate Release

Catastrophic Flooding Engulfs Lavavolo Tortoise Center

January 17, 2025

CONTACT: Jordan Gray, Turtle Survival Alliance, (912) 659-0978, [email protected]

• Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has caused catastrophic flooding at the Lavavolo Tortoise Center in southern Madagascar, threatening thousands of endangered Radiated and Spider tortoises and causing significant damage to infrastructure and staff housing.
• A dedicated response team, including 26 staff members, local gendarmes, and four volunteer veterinarians, is actively rescuing tortoises from floodwaters that are one meter deep, securing sensitive equipment, and coordinating with local authorities and the community to ensure the survival of the tortoises.
• The Lavavolo Tortoise Center, established following the historic confiscation of over 10,000 Radiated Tortoises in April 2018, plays a crucial role in species recovery as part of the Turtle Survival Alliance’s Confiscation to Reintroduction Strategy.

Antananarivo, Madagascar – Turtle Survival Alliance announced today that torrential rains from Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi have triggered devastating floods in Madagascar’s Atsimo-Andrefana Region, submerging the Lavavolo Tortoise Center (LTC). The cyclone swept past southern Madagascar on January 16 from the Mozambique Channel, intensifying as it moved into the Indian Ocean. In less than 24 hours, floodwaters surged over one meter (over three feet), wreaking havoc on the LTC. The deluge caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including staff housing and personal belongings, while placing thousands of critically endangered Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) and Spider Tortoises (Pyxis arachnoides) in grave danger.

“This is an unprecedented crisis for the Lavavolo Tortoise Center,” said Hery Razafimamonjiraibe, Country Director for Turtle Survival Alliance Madagascar. “The severity of the flooding has overwhelmed our facilities, threatening the safety of thousands of tortoises in our care. Despite the devastation, our staff, local law enforcement, and community members have come together with incredible determination. All hands are on deck to rescue the tortoises from the rising waters and ensure their survival in the face of this disaster.”

The Lavavolo Tortoise Center holds a unique place in global conservation efforts. The facility underwent significant renovation in 2018 following a historic confiscation of more than 10,000 Radiated Tortoises in April of that year. This effort was supported by a coalition of Turtle Survival Alliance staff, local craftsmen, international volunteers, and global financial and logistical contributions. Later in October 2018, another monumental confiscation of over 7,000 tortoises greatly increased the number of animals under the center’s care. In May 2024, the first 1,000 tortoises cared for at the Lavavolo Tortoise Center were repatriated to the wild as part of Turtle Survival Alliance’s Confiscation to Reintroduction Strategy, underscoring the center’s vital role in species recovery.

Despite the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi, an extraordinary response effort is underway at the Lavavolo Tortoise Center (LTC). A dedicated on-site team of 26 staff members, local gendarmes (police), and four volunteer veterinarians has mobilized to mitigate the crisis and safeguard the thousands of tortoises, with eight more veterinarian volunteers on the way to assist in the effort. Floating tortoises are being rescued and secured in elevated cages, basins, or on improvised rafts, while sensitive equipment, including batteries and critical documentation, has been relocated to higher ground. Security at the center has been intensified to protect both the animals and the facilities.

The response has drawn significant support from the local community and leadership. The Mayor of Itampolo and the Chief of the Gendarmerie have visited the site to provide assistance and assess the situation firsthand, while local residents have joined the rescue efforts, exemplifying remarkable solidarity. Communication lines between the LTC and support teams in Antananarivo remain open, enabling a coordinated response. Veterinary supplies are being procured in Antananarivo and will arrive at the center as flood-damaged roads become passable.

“The Lavavolo Tortoise Center is a cornerstone of our conservation efforts in Madagascar, playing a critical role in safeguarding the future of the Radiated Tortoise,” said Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux, President & CEO of the Turtle Survival Alliance. “While the devastation caused by this flooding is immense, the resilience and commitment of our staff and the local community have been nothing short of extraordinary. Together, they are working tirelessly to rescue the tortoises and protect this vital facility. Once the floodwaters recede, we are committed to rebuilding stronger and continuing our mission to preserve this iconic species for generations to come.”

National and regional authorities are also stepping in. The Director Régionale de l’Environnement (Regional Environmental Director) and the Chef Cantonnement (Area Chief) are preparing to assist with damage assessments and tortoise counts as conditions improve, while the Ministère de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable (Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development) provides national-level coordination to stabilize the situation.

The dedication of the team and the surrounding community remains unwavering. Together, they are addressing immediate challenges, rescuing tortoises from rising floodwaters, and laying the groundwork for long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts. Despite the immense obstacles, their commitment to the preservation of Madagascar’s endangered tortoises and the well-being of the community stands as a testament to resilience and hope in the face of disaster.

Prior to this event, the Lavavolo Tortoise Center had not received rainfall for over a year, leaving the surrounding area extremely dry and vulnerable to sudden flooding. Madagascar is at the forefront of the climate crisis, experiencing increasingly severe and unpredictable weather patterns driven by climate change. Rising global temperatures have intensified the hydrological cycle, resulting in more frequent and prolonged droughts. These droughts dry out the soil, reducing its ability to absorb heavy, rapid rainfall, which in turn leads to devastating flooding events. At the same time, warmer ocean temperatures are fueling more powerful tropical cyclones, bringing heavier rainfall and stronger winds that cause widespread devastation. These compounding effects have created a volatile climate in Madagascar, where communities and wildlife, including the island’s unique biodiversity, must struggle to adapt. 

“Climate change-driven droughts and severe cyclonic events, as evidenced, present significant challenges to our operations in southern Madagascar,” said Andrew Walde, Senior Director of Conservation and Science at the Turtle Survival Alliance. “These extreme weather events not only threaten the delicate habitats of endangered species like the Radiated Tortoise but also complicate our efforts to protect and restore their populations. As weather patterns become more unpredictable, our team must adapt quickly to ensure the safety of the tortoises and the success of our conservation programs in this increasingly volatile environment.”

Turtle Survival Alliance thanks the Ministère de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable (Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development), Gendarmerie Nationale (National Gendarmes), Mayor of the commune of Itampolo, the community members of Itampolo and Lavavolo, and Turtle Survival Alliance partners and donors.

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You can make a difference for these waterlogged tortoises and the people who care for them. Your support will help Turtle Survival Alliance provide critical care, deliver relief to staff and community members, and restore the Lavavolo Tortoise Center. Please consider making a donation today to help us through this crisis. Give a gift that saves lives and rebuilds hope—your help is needed now more than ever. Give a gift that saves lives and rebuilds hope—your help is needed now more than ever.

About Turtle Survival Alliance

Formed in 2001 and gaining nonprofit status in 2004, Turtle Survival Alliance is a global conservation organization that works to create a planet where tortoises and freshwater turtles can thrive in the wild. Our science-based initiatives are directed by local leaders, inspiring sustainable, community-based stewardship to prevent extinctions. Where populations cannot yet thrive in the wild, our conservation breeding programs preserve opportunities for their future survival. Turtle Survival Alliance currently supports collaborative conservation initiatives in 17 countries. For more information, visit us on our website and join the conversation and learning experience on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Header image: Radiated Tortoises, previously rescued from illegal trade, take refuge from floodwaters on thatched rafts repurposed from the roofs of shade structures in their habitats at the Lavavolo Tortoise Center.

All photos courtesy of TSA Madagascar.