Tortoises 'Commit Suicide' on Great Prespa Island Due to Abuse

On an island in Great Prespa, a tortoise overpopulation is leading to the abuse of females, causing them to attempt to escape, even by falling off cliffs.

According to a study in Ecology Letters, Golem Grad (Saint Peter) island has 19 males for every female Hermann’s tortoise. This imbalance results in males chasing and injuring females, reducing their chances of survival and reproduction.

Researchers, led by Dragan Arsovski, observed that males bite and strike females, causing injuries to their genitals. In an attempt to escape, female tortoises are reportedly falling off the island's cliffs.

Scientists emphasize that this situation endangers the future of the tortoise population on the island.