Tortoise island in danger of extinction due to lack of males
24 February - 7 mins
Podcast Series
Moncrieff
On the tiny island of Golem Grad in North Macedonia, a population of Hermann’s tortoise is heading for extinction, not because of predators or habitat loss, but because there are far too many males.
They outnumber females by about 19 to one. Scientists say relentless mating attempts are leaving females injured, stressed and in some cases falling from cliffs as they try to escape.
If the imbalance continues, researchers warn the last female could die within decades, sealing the fate of the entire island population…
Joining Seán to discuss this is Yvonne Buckley, Professor of Zoology at Trinity College Dublin.
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