Dogs on the trail of South Africa's endangered tortoises

A critically endangered Geometric tortoise walks through the bush on a private reserve, where they are protected as part of the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Dryland Conservation Project in the Boland district of the Western Cape on June 30, 2025. [AFP]

Snout pressed to the ground, a border collie named Delta zigzagged through the shrubs on a private nature reserve near Cape Town, frantically sniffing for critically endangered tortoises.

The dog stopped abruptly in front of a small bush and lay down, signalling a find as Delta's handler moved in to search the surrounding area.