Two hundred years ago, a species of giant tortoises roamed Floreana Island, which is part of Ecuador’s Galápagos island chain. In the mid-1800s, these tortoises were hunted to extinction. Now they’re back.
In February, British newspaper the Guardian reported that nearly 160 young giant tortoises have been released on Floreana Island. The tortoises are descendants of those that lived there long ago. Scientists have been working toward this accomplishment for years. In 2008, they found tortoises with some Floreana ancestry living on nearby Isabela Island. From these, the scientists bred tortoises similar to the original Floreana species. These tortoises were born and raised in captivity, then released into the wild.
Scientists have been working toward this accomplishment for years. In 2008, they found tortoises with some Floreana ancestry living on nearby Isabela Island. From them, the scientists bred tortoises similar to the original Floreana species. These tortoises were born and raised in captivity, then released into the wild.
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