Thousands of critically endangered tortoises in Madagascar have been rescued after they were swept away from their sanctuary and left swimming for their lives in floods.

The 12,000 radiated and spider tortoises were housed at the Lavavolo Tortoise Centre after being rescued from wildlife traffickers.

But earlier this month, Cyclone Dikeledi hit the southern part of the Indian Ocean, causing flooding a metre high to engulf the sanctuary, carrying the tortoises away.

Sanctuary staff, members of the local community and police officers joined together in a rescue effort.

They waded through the floodwater with large containers, rescuing the tortoises.

Some rescuers converted damaged building structures into makeshift rafts for the tortoises to float on.

Hery Razafimamonjiraibe, the Madagascar director for the Turtle Survival Alliance, which runs the sanctuary, said they were hopeful they had rescued more than 10,000 of the tortoises – but they still had to do an official count.

Rescuers had recovered around 700 dead tortoises so far, which Mr Razafimamonjiraibe said had been trapped by rocks and debris in the floods.

“Fortunately, most of the tortoises were able to float. Tortoises are actually very good swimmers, you should see them,” he said.

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The rescue centre was badly damaged by the floods, which swept away much of its infrastructure.

Most of the rescued tortoises are relatively young for the species, aged 25-50 years old. They can reach 100 years or more.

Radiated and spider tortoises are critically endangered in Madagascar due to habitat destruction and poaching.

They are eaten and illegally trafficked as pets because of their striking yellow and black markings, Mr Razafimamonjiraibe said.