Aldabra Atoll Island
Aldabra Atoll
Image of coral head at Albabra
Aldabra, the name derived from the Arabic word, meaning green, is the largest coralline atoll in the world with an immense lagoon ringed by four coral islands, as well as ten very small islands all together covering an area of about fifty square miles. The largest of the four main islands is Grande Terre, with the other three, Ile Malabar, Ile Picard, and Ile Polymnie, listed in order of decreasing size, completing the ring around the largest lagoon in the world. A research station and observatory on Ile Picard aids in safeguarding the ecology of these unspoilt islands. As long ago as 1874, the need for preservation was recognized by Charles Darwin and others who knew about Aldabra’s giant tortoises. They petitioned the governor of Mauritius (the islands were under French jurisdiction at the time) to preserve and protect them. Of the four passes (channels) connecting the lagoon with the sea, the largest, and certainly the most spectacular is Grande Passe, between Ile Picard and Ile Polymnie. From the air, the channel with its current etched bottom, like the branches of a giant tree, is clearly visible through the clarity of the water in the lagoon. At low tide, parts of the lagoon show dry bottom. The tides can be as much as ten feet and the outgoing tide courses through the passes at a good ten knots. Within the lagoon, the shoreline is lined with mangrove trees that provide ideal ground cover for breeding birds as well as for fish in exposed mangrove roots below the water line. Aldabra has the worlds largest population of giant tortoises. About 150,000 of this species (average weight 150 pounds) thrive here. The Galapagos Islands are home to a related species, and are the only other giant tortoises living in the wild on this planet. Also unique only to Aldabra is the coconut crab. The white-breasted rail, a bird that has evolved to where it can no longer fly is also found only here. Other examples of the indigenous bird life include the the sacred ibis and herons. Terns and frigate birds are in abundance about the unusual shaped coral banks.
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