A species of tortoise once believed to be extinct in southern France has been unexpectedly rediscovered in the Pyrenees near the Spanish border.
The remarkable find was made by a father and son who were out for a nature walk in the Albères Massif, searching for snakes and lizards. During their exploration on Friday, August 16, they stumbled upon a Hermann’s tortoise in the Pyrénées-Orientales region.
“She was well-hidden and in excellent condition,” Arnaud Spielmann, who was accompanied by his son, told France 3. The unexpected encounter left them “super proud and happy,” Spielmann added.
The Hermann’s tortoise, a species native to Corsica and parts of Provence, is a protected animal in France. For decades, it was believed to have disappeared from the area, with many assuming it had died out as early as the 1960s, according to France 3.
France’s National Parks website notes that the Hermann’s tortoise is currently one of the most endangered reptiles in both Europe and globally. The species faces numerous threats, including habitat loss due to urbanization, forest fires, and illegal collection.
Charlène Lebreton, a representative from the Vallée des Tortues (Turtle Valley), confirmed the discovery after examining a photograph of the reptile. She estimated the tortoise to be between 30 and 40 years old and confirmed that it was indeed in good health.
The rediscovery of this species offers a glimmer of hope for conservation efforts, although the future survival of the Hermann’s tortoise remains precarious.