158 Giant Tortoises Released on Galápagos Island Where They'd Been Extinct for 180 Years
For the first time in over 180 years, giant tortoises are once again walking the landscapes of Floreana Island in the Galápagos — and it's the largest ecological restoration effort ever undertaken on the archipelago.
A Species Returns Home
This week, 158 juvenile giant tortoises of Floreana lineage were released into their ancestral habitat, marking a historic milestone for conservation. The Floreana giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger niger) was driven to extinction on the island in the mid-1800s and hadn't been seen there for generations.
"The return of the giant tortoises reflects a long-term restoration vision focused on restoring the ecological functionality of Floreana's ecosystems," said Lorena Sánchez, director of the Galápagos National Park.
🐢 By the Numbers
- 158 juvenile tortoises released on Floreana Island
- 180+ years since the species was last seen on the island
- ~160 residents of Floreana community actively supported the project
- 20+ years of genetic research made this possible
A Detective Story Written in DNA
The tortoises' return is the result of decades of genetic detective work. In the early 2000s, scientists discovered that some tortoises living on Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island carried Floreana ancestry — the last living descendants of a lineage long believed to be lost forever.
How did they get there? Historians believe 19th-century whalers transported tortoises between islands, offloading them before long sea voyages. Accidentally, they preserved a genetic legacy that scientists would rediscover centuries later.
Through a carefully managed breeding program, these tortoises were raised to be genetically as close as possible to the original Floreana giant tortoise.
Community-Led Conservation
The island's approximately 160 residents have been deeply involved from the start — participating in planning workshops, supporting ecological monitoring, and championing the effort.
"Their return shows what is possible when a community leads and many partners come together with a shared purpose," said Verónica Mora, the community's representative. "Our livelihoods, from tourism to agriculture and fishing, depend on the health of this island."
The community's conservation efforts have already yielded other remarkable results, including the rediscovery of the Galápagos Rail — a rare bird that hadn't been recorded on the island since Charles Darwin's first visit.
🌍 Why This Matters
Giant tortoises are ecosystem engineers. They shape landscapes by dispersing seeds, creating paths, and maintaining vegetation. Returning them to Floreana doesn't just save a species — it begins restoring the entire ecosystem to how it functioned before humans disrupted it. This is rewilding at its finest.
From extinction to restoration. Welcome home, Floreana tortoises. 🐢
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Inspiring conservation stories:
- 🐢 The Galápagos: A Natural History by Henry Nicholls — The definitive guide to the enchanted islands
- 🌍 Feral: Rewilding the Land, Sea and Human Life by George Monbiot — How rewilding can restore our world
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