AFTER a year in Oxfordshire, Darwin the tortoise can look forward to perhaps 100 more.

The 26-year-old Aldabra Giant Tortoise was donated to the Cotswold Wildlife Park last year by the Seychelles Government after the Burford park started a conservation project involving the country and its Seychelles National Botanical Gardens.

And to mark a year since the project started, the park hosted a reception on Sunday for guests including the Seychelles High Commissioner, members of the Seychelles Tourism Department and the Mayor of Burford, John White.

Aldabra tortoises are native to the Seychelles, weigh up to 250kgs and can live to 150.

There are now three male tortoises at the park and keepers feed them carrots, stinging nettles, dandelions, thistles and clover.

Seychelles tourism minister Alain St Ange yesterday said he was pleased with the relationship between the park and his country.

And he said Darwin seemed to have settled in well at his new home.

He said: β€œHe is being spoiled with carrots and apples so he is very happy. But we need to see how we can bring a female to them now.”