FSD 2010 - News

5th International Symposium-Workshop on Frugivores and Seed Dispersal (1985-2010)

Meet the scientists who speak for the frugivores

Last month, on 30 november, Kiki the tortoise, the oldest "french", died at age of 146 years. He arrived from Seycelles in 1923 and established in Paris where he lived in a very peaceful environment at the Ménagerie of the Jardin des Plantes. Almost extinct in 1840, the populations of Seychelle Giant Tortoises is now 150.000, and 4 of them are still alive and eating at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Last February, FSD2010.org already ackowledged the importance of KiKi and his relatives in dispersing seeds on islands and continental habitats. After studying elephants in Africa, Stephen Blake is now studying those giant tortoises in Galapagos. Tortoises and Elephants are Mega-gardeners that will be on spot at Montpellier with a plenary talk by Campo-Arceiz and Blake, and a special symposium focused on dispersal on islands. (Photo ©Kiki the tortoise F-G GRANDIN/AFP).