Giant tortoises have made a triumphant return to Floreana Island in the Galápagos archipelago after an absence of over 180 years. In a groundbreaking conservation effort, 158 juvenile hybrids were reintroduced to the island where an estimated 20,000 giant tortoises once thrived before their extinction in the 1840s due to various human-driven factors.
Leading the initiative, conservation biologist James Gibbs likened the moment to witnessing his children taking their initial steps as the young tortoises were released onto the island. These juveniles, expected to reach up to 600 pounds within the next two decades, are part of a larger plan to gradually reintroduce 700 tortoises to Floreana. This reintroduction program aims not only to increase tortoise numbers but also to revive the genetic lineage of the extinct Floreana species, Chelonoidis niger.
Biologist Washington Tapia emphasized the significance of reintroducing a species with a substantial genetic connection to the original inhabitants of the island. The hope is that these newcomers, aged between eight and 13 and weighing 30 to 50 pounds, will help restore the island’s ecosystem over time, considering their potential lifespan of over a century.
The release operation was a laborious yet heartfelt endeavor, with park rangers transporting the juveniles up the island’s slopes to secure release sites, where they were set free to explore their new habitat. Fitted with GPS trackers, the tortoises are being closely monitored to ensure their successful integration into the island’s environment, now shared with a diverse array of wildlife and facing challenges from invasive species like rats, cats, and donkeys introduced by humans.
Despite the challenges, researchers are optimistic about the tortoises’ future on Floreana Island and remain committed to safeguarding their well-being through ongoing monitoring efforts for the next decade.