Noflaye Tortoise Village is a breeding and protection centre for threatened tortoises established by Tomas Diagne. The centre continues to work to save these fascinating reptiles. Its ultimate aim is the reintroduction of tortoises into the wild.

The 15-hectare centreis located 35 kilometres from Dakar and home to over 600 specimens of five regional species – including Geochelone sulcata, Africa's largest land tortoise. The centre attracts about 8,000 visitors each year.

Between 2004 and 2007, Diagne also played a key role in establishing a 260-hectare nature reserve for tortoises, fish and manatees in a marshy area of northern Senegal. But this tortoise specialist strongly believes that a broader perspective, one encompassing the entire continent, is now needed to ensure the tortoises' survival.