‘Horrifying and amazing’: giant tortoise filmed attacking and eating baby bird

Chase in Seychelles is first known example of hunting in wild by creature thought to be herbivore

A Seychelles giant tortoise, a species previously thought to be a strict herbivore, has been filmed chasing and eating a baby bird in a horrifying and amazing" attack, with researchers stating it was the first documented example of deliberate hunting in the wild by the species.

The video, taken on Fregate Island in July 2020, shows a female giant tortoise slowly stalking a lesser noddy tern chick, snapping at it unsuccessfully before delivering a lethal bow by clamping its jaws directly around its head.