Flood waters engulfed the sanctuary, and the tortoises — many of them mere whippersnappers in the tortoise world at about 25-50 years old — were carried away.

Lavavolo Tortoise Center staff, members of the community and police officers joined together in a rescue operation, wading through the water with large containers to collect the bewildered tortoises

After being devastated by Cyclone Dikeledo, a Southern Madagascar community rallied together to save a species on the brink of extinction.