ICS Seychelles

In 2016, Farquhar was struck by Category 5 Cyclone 💨, named “Fantala”.

Powerful winds and storm surges reshaped the lagoon, displacing vast amounts of sand and transforming a small 0.3 ha sandbank into a rapidly growing island.

By 2019, it had risen above the high tide mark—and today, it exceeds 7 hectares in size .

Since then, life has begun to take hold 🏝 . Pioneer species such as the coastal shrub Bwataba (Tournefortia argentea) have begun to colonise the island, marking the first stages of ecological succession. 🌳

ICS continues to monitor this process through frequent vegetation and biodiversity surveys, helping us understand how vegetation and biodiversity establish on newly formed land.

The island is already being used by nesting seabirds and visiting turtles—showing just how quickly nature can respond and adapt.

📷Emma Cotton | ©Island Conservation Society

🐢 A Big Step for a Small Tortoise 🌿

Last week we released another group of juvenile Aldabra Giant Tortoises on Desroches — one of our favourite moments of the year.

At around 9 kg, these tortoises are roughly seven years old and big enough to survive in the wild. From here, they’re free to roam the island for what could be the next 100 years.

Each release is the result of years of care in the Tortoise Sanctuary, giving them the best possible start in life. Now they can help revegetate the island.

A big thank you to Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island and their guests for helping make this event possible. 💚

📷 Vidot | © Island Conservation Society