We’re proud to share that Quad Lock is donating Lever Heads and Universal Adaptors to the Indian Ocean Tortoise Alliance (IOTA) to support GPS-based monitoring that helps protect Aldabra giant tortoises in the Seychelles.
Who is IOTA?
IOTA is a Seychelles-based non-profit dedicated to safeguarding Aldabra giant tortoises and restoring island ecosystems. Their work spans rewilding efforts, research, and partnerships with governments and local communities to secure the species’ future across the Western Indian Ocean.
Why tracking tortoises matters
The Aldabra giant tortoise is the last surviving species of Indian Ocean giant tortoise and an emblem of Seychelles’ natural heritage. Effective conservation relies on understanding how and where these long-lived reptiles move: GPS-supported monitoring helps researchers map habitat use, identify nesting areas, and spot emerging threats so action can be taken quickly and precisely.
How Quad Lock is helping
To support IOTA’s GPS monitoring, Quad Lock has donated 360 Lever Heads and Universal Adaptors that have been carefully placed on the tortoise to allow for GPS tracking.
- Lever Heads: Our 360 Lever Heads use Quad Lock’s patented dual-stage lock to secure devices to mounts. In this case, that means fast, reliable attachment for compatible GPS receivers onto tortoises.
- Universal Adaptors: Quad Lock Universal Adaptors add our twist-lock interface to flat, non-porous devices and housings using 3M™ VHB™ adhesive. As shown, IOTA have used a sort of clay to help attach this to the tortoise.
By donating these components, Quad Lock is helping IOTA’s team build durable, modular mounting setups that stand up to salt air, heat, and bumps in the field.
The bigger picture: islands restored, species secured
IOTA’s mission goes beyond monitoring; it’s about restoring ecological functions that giant tortoises provide, such as grazing, seed dispersal, and shaping vegetation across islands where they once thrived. Rewilded populations on islands such as Frégate show what’s possible when science and collaboration come together. Our contribution is a small but practical piece of that larger, long-term effort.
