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Galápagos Tortoises Return After 180 Years
21 Feb
Summary
- Floreana tortoises are back on their island after 180 years.
- A 'back breeding' program recreated the extinct subspecies.
- 158 juvenile tortoises are now on Floreana island.
Giant tortoises have returned to Floreana Island in the Galápagos archipelago after an absence of more than 180 years. This significant ecological restoration project marks the reintroduction of the Floreana giant tortoise subspecies, which was driven to extinction by whalers in the 1840s.
A remarkable 'back breeding' program, launched in 2017, utilized hybrid tortoises with ancestral ties to the Floreana subspecies. This initiative successfully recreated the species, with over 600 hatchlings born by 2025.
As of 2026, 158 juvenile tortoises have been returned to Floreana, the sixth largest island in the archipelago. Their reintroduction is a crucial part of the largest ecological restoration effort on the islands, following successful invasive species eradication.
Giant tortoises are considered 'keystone species' for their vital role in maintaining habitats, dispersing seeds, and shaping landscapes, benefiting numerous other native species. The Floreana Ecological Restoration Project, a collaboration between park authorities and charities, aims to restore the island's biodiversity and support the local community.
