This is kind of related to the other tortoise farm post only it is more exotic. These are the kinds of places and the thing some of us only dream of doing.
As far as tortoises go the 2 main species are Aldabras and Radiateds.
I'll start with Mauritius... This is La Vanille Crocodile park... home to over 100 adult Aldabra Tortoises.

They produce a good number of babies every year.

The facility is open to the public but it is not local by any means.

The owner of the park thought to expand and put together this place in Reunion which is an island near Mauritius. This is a natural canyon. The front is walled off. The tortoises have the run of the entire canyon.



How would you like to have the opportunity to take care of these animals in this place?





This guy is over 500 pounds...

This is my favorite and least favorite part.

This operation is producing hundreds of these... and can't move them. Most are second generation.
My buddy, Jim, was kind enough to share these photos.


The numbers at which these animals are produced is mind boggling.

They have the same free range as the Aldabras (not together).

Again... They are produced in massive numbers.


There are a few generations that have been produced.


These islands are one of the places most of us can only dream of (this is actually the Seychells... another post)

Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.

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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

very impressive

dream job, dream place, god I hate the snow

Why can't they shift those babies? And what are they going to do with so many babies in the long run?

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My collection and what's available now (UPDATED):

They've been working for years to get the paperwork to move the animals. The problem is that they are appendix 1 animals... Endangered Species. I think the have authority to move them in the EU.

They do have the space to hold them... and they are going to fetch a very good price if and when they get the paperwork. Just look at the shape of those animals.

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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

very nice EJ,could that be classed as work?

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I wouldn't.

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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Great place isn't it Ed, I thought about going there for a holiday.

You seen Jim's photos from Dominican yet? Rhino igs running round like a plague of rats!

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brilliant pics ed. it looks an amazing place.

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Ed I must berated your for promoting abject cruelty to poor defenceless creatures [picture 13], how could you, do you have no shame! These are endangered creatures, how do you think the pool little buggers felt when they popped their little heads out and saw ‘a Pether’ – shell shocked!!!

great pics ed,ive visited La Vanille myself-its incredible.

Hi All,

First post here, saw the link at 'another place' and thought I'd post.

For as long as I can remember I've not supported the trade in Slovenian tortoises or captive farmed animals. I always think it is much more responsible buying from a breeder.

However, these pictures have shown me, that at the very least, these farms are not ideal. (I don't think anything that aims to make money from animals is) but they are a far cry from the 'hell on earth' that has been portrayed to the tortoise community for some time.

After ceasing my membership of a certain large tortoise organisation I have had my eyes opened about how they have been operating for some time and the way they have treated certain people sickens me. It seems that the few aspects of the organisation that I did like (One of them was for their honest advice, especially about the 'wild caught' trade) are slowly dwindling, also.

That beautiful scenery is stunning. I only wish I'd have had the idea to make my own tortoise organisation and I might be seeing similar views from a lovely villa in Spain right now.

Thanks for the post Ed, very educational.

Josh