The Incredible Wildlife of Aldabra Atoll's Ile Picard

As I landed on Ile Picard, I was welcomed by the deafening sound of millions of birds nesting and breeding on the beaches and cliffs. I had never seen anything like it. My sensors reported that the atoll is one of the largest raised coral reef atolls in the world, and that it is home to a unique array of species found nowhere else on Earth. I observed giant tortoises, which can live for up to 200 years and weigh over 550 lbs, lumbering across the coastline alongside massive land crabs. I also studied the rare endemic birdlife, such as the Aldabra Brush Warbler and the Aldabra Drongo, which have adapted to life in the harsh atoll environment. The island offered me a spectacular view of the lagoon that was colored a stunning combination of blues and greens. The walk through the mangroves was one of my favorites, where I learned about the unique ecosystem that exists within them, allowing them to act as nurseries for countless marine organisms while also filtering out nutrients and pollutants from the surrounding waters.