Tortoise thought to be extinct in French Pyrenees rediscovered by walkers

A species of tortoise thought to have been extinct in southern France has been spotted in the Pyrenees, close to the border with Spain.

A father and son made the accidental discovery while out on a walk to look for snakes and lizards in the Albères Massif. 

They spotted the species – a Hermann's tortoise – in the Pyrénées-Orientales on Friday, August 16. 

“She was hidden and in great shape,” Arnaud Spielmann, who was out walking with his son, told France 3. 

“We were super proud and happy,” said Mr Spielmann, of the unexpected discovery. 

Many had thought the animal, which can be found in Corsica and parts of Provence and is a protected species in France, had died out as long ago as the 1960s in the area, France 3 reports. 

“The Hermann’s tortoise is currently one of the most endangered reptiles on a European and global scale,” according to France’s National Parks website. 

The survival of the tortoise is “increasingly perilous” because of a range of issues, from forest fires and urbanisation to collection of specimens.

The tortoise was between 30-40 years old and in good health, according to Charlène Lebreton, of the Vallée des tortues (Turtle Valley), who examined a photo of the reptile and confirmed it was a Hermann’s tortoise.