Geometric Tortoise
Status
ongoing
LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PROTECTED AREA
1,080 acres
Region
Cape province, South Africa
Protected Species
Common Padloper
Homopus Aerolatus
Least Concern
Geometric Tortoise
Psammobates geometricus
Least Concern
Cape Terrapin
Pelomedusa Galeata
Least Concern
Angulate Tortoise
Chersina angulata
Least Concern
About the Program
The Geometric Tortoise (Psammobates geometricus) is one of the world’s most exquisite tortoises—likened to a Fabergé egg due to its domed carapace adorned with a vibrant black-and-yellow pattern. This diminutive tortoise species, reaching only five to six inches at maturity, is native to the fynbos biome within the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa—a globally unique and highly endangered ecosystem that faces immense threats from habitat loss, invasive plant species, drought, agricultural expansion, and unnatural fire regimes. The Turtle Conservancy and its local affiliate, the Southern African Conservation Trust (SACT), have been collaborating with partner organizations Rainforest Trust and Mapula Foundation to secure more than 1,080 acres of critical habitat, now designated as the Breede River Valley Fynbos Preserve. This preserve is home to the largest remaining population of Geometric Tortoises, and our annual monitoring continues to suggest a healthy population despite many challenges to the species' survival.
Help us protect biodiversity in this unique region.
Fundraising Goal: $100,000
For land management
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The reserve supports 467 native plant species, 10% of which are considered at risk of extinction, representing one of the largest intact remnants of Breede Alluvium Fynbos—a vegetation type extensively transformed for agricultural use. Securing this land for conservation also protects four other South African chelonian species—the Angulate Tortoise (Chersina angulata), Parrot-beaked Tortoise (Homopus areolatus), Cape Terrapin (Pelomedusa galeata), and the occasional Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis).
The work is far from complete, as the Turtle Conservancy is raising funds to expand the preserve and ensure a future so that this critically endangered species remains wild.
Biodiversity on the preserve
Parrot-beaked Tortoise (Homopus areolatus)
Black Harrier (Circus maurus)
Angulate Tortoise (Chersina angulata)
Cape cobra (Naja nivea)
South African Helmeted Turtle (Pelomedusa galeata)
Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)
Major threats to the Geometric tortoise
The Geometric Tortoise has lost more than 90% of its natural habitat, primarily due to conversion of native fynbos vegetation into agricultural lands for vineyards, orchards, wheat fields, and other crops. Invasive plant species, such as the Port Jackson acacia (Acacia saligna), aggressively degrade this vulnerable ecosystem by completely choking out native flora that the tortoises rely on for food and shelter.
Unnatural fire also threatens the ecosystem, with human-caused wildfires frequently burning too intensely and endangering tortoise populations and their habitat.
Not all Geometric Tortoises make it to adulthood, but the increasing threats from drought, fire, and subsidized predators make survival even more challenging.
The Turtle Conservancy and SACT implement a comprehensive management program to protect both the Geometric Tortoise and the irreplaceable biodiversity hotspot that is the fynbos.
Habitat Acquisition and Expansion
We are working to acquire land that either expands our preserve or secures disparate relics of the Geometric Tortoise's historic distribution. Our goal is to create a sustainable landscape ensuring the tortoise’'s survival.
Invasive Species Management
Our preserve team works tirelessly to eradicate Port Jackson acacia and the growing list of invasive plants disrupting this long-isolated ecosystem, enabling native vegetation to recover and provide essential food and shelter for the tortoises. Without labor-intensive biannual clearing, this species would quickly reestablish and displace the endemic plants needed for the tortoises’ survival.
Fencing
Fencing is a vital tool for protecting dwindling tortoise populations from external threats. Spanning more than 12 miles, the SACT Preserve fencing is critical to safeguarding the last remaining stronghold for the Geometric Tortoise. It reduces road mortality, excludes predators such as domestic dogs and subsidized species that disturb nests or prey on tortoises, and limits unauthorized access to critical habitats.
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Fire plays a crucial role in maintaining the fynbos ecosystem, since many plant species depend on fire for regeneration and development. However, uncontrolled wildfires can devastate tortoise populations and destroy the remaining habitat.
The Turtle Conservancy is engineering firebreaks to limit destructive fires, collaborating on controlled burns to regenerate fynbos safely, educating communities about fire’s role in the ecosystem, and strategically using fencing that also serves as firebreaks.
POPULATION SURVEYS AND MONITORING
By monitoring the health of the last significant Geometric Tortoise population, the TC and its partners are protecting the survival of the species. In partnership with CapeNature and the Endangered Wildlife Trust, we conduct annual population surveys using humans and specialized detection dogs to locate tortoises across the preserve.
HEAD-STARTING AND BREEDING PROGRAMS
Our partners at the Mapula Foundation have successfully bred Geometric Tortoises in a semi-captive environment, paving the way for innovative headstarting efforts. Building on this success, we are developing our own headstarting program to ensure the species' long-term survival and to bolster the resilience of wild populations.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION
We engage with local communities to raise awareness about the Geometric Tortoise and the importance of conserving its unique fynbos habitat. Educational programs and outreach efforts aim to inspire stewardship and support for biodiversity protection.
Our Partners
