Mortality of Adult Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) at the Nesting Beaches of Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) mortality at Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles, is primarily driven by entrapment and incapacitation on beach rock, with adjusted rates twice as high on the windward south coast compared to other coastal regions. Between 1995 and 2008, researchers documented 158 deaths and 50 cases of trapped or incapacitated turtles, identifying beach rock-related causes in 76% of fatal cases. Annual natural mortality is estimated at 16–30 females per year, accounting for 0.3%–1.0% of the annual nesting population. The study highlights that despite this mortality, Aldabra's green turtle population remains healthy and increasing, with no terrestrial predation. This research underscores the significance of coastal geology in shaping turtle demographics at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mortimer, J. A., & von Brandis, R. G. (2013). Mortality of Adult Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) at the Nesting Beaches of Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 12(1), 151–157. https://doi.org/10.2744/ccb-0991.1