These tortoises were in desperate need of assistance.
Randrianjafizanaka knew right away that these tortoises needed to be rescued from their deplorable circumstances. It’s possible that the mix of disease, dehydration, and malnutrition will be the end outcome if they don’t comply. They were in a critical state of peril.
While Randrianjafizanaka was completely unaware of the situation, he was perfectly aware that they needed to find a site where they could rapidly keep all of the tortoises. Their death rate increased as a result of their decision to remain at home. With a tortoise colony as large as theirs, they understood they’d need all the assistance they could get.