MADAGASCAR: A species of tortoise, thought to be one of the world's most endangered animals, took a step back from the brink of extinction today after scientists successfully released 20 into the wild.
The Ploughshare tortoise is dangerously close to being completely wiped out, with fewer than 1,000 left living in the wild.
Conservationists are anxious to save the beautiful creatures, which can grow up to half a metre in length, and have set up a foundation to preserve them.
The species lives exclusively on the west coast of Madagascar, in five small populations around the Baly Bay area.
Known locally as the Angonoka, it was listed as one of the world's most endangered tortoises, according to data compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Scientists from Durrell Wildlife's Madagascar team today released 20 captive-bred tortoises back into the wild, and plan to release a further 20 every year for the next four years.
This represents the culmination of a project launched in 1986 to save the fascinating animals from extinction.
Joanna Durbin, of Durrell Wildlife, said: "The creation of a new wild Angonoka population has always been one of the long-term goals of the project.
"With only five wild and one captive population, totalling probably less than 1,000 individuals, the foundation of a new population is critical towards assuring the long-term survival of the species."
The Ploughshare is the largest land tortoise species in Madagascar and historically was threatened by sailors plying the trade routes, who would stop off in Madagascar to stock up on supplies.
The tortoises made an ideal meal for long voyages, as they could survive for long periods without food or water and provided a valuable source of fresh meat for sailors.