Giant tortoises return to Floreana Island Galapagos Conservancy
For the first time in more than 180 years, giant tortoises are walking on Floreana Island in the Galápagos.
The Floreana giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger niger) was thought to have gone extinct in the mid-19th century due to overhunting by sailors. However, in 2008, researchers found some tortoises near Wolf volcano on Isabela Island, also in the Galápagos, with the same saddle-shaped shells that were unique to those from Floreana. DNA analysis later revealed they were hybrids of Floreana giant tortoises and other tortoises native to Isabela.
A captive breeding programme identified the 23 individuals that had the most similar genetics to C. niger niger, with the aim of releasing the offspring on Floreana. On 20 February, 158 juvenile tortoises took their first steps on the island – a small selection of which you can see in the photo.
