The Floreana giant tortoise, extinct for nearly 200 years, has been reintroduced to its native Galápagos island as part of a large-scale ecological restoration effort.
Giant tortoises are returning to the Galápagos island of Floreana after being absent for more than 180 years. This significant ecological event marks a vital step in restoring the island's ecosystem, which was severely disrupted in the 1840s due to whalers who hunted these tortoises nearly to extinction. The Galápagos giant tortoise, once found in abundance across the archipelago, is recognized for its critical role in maintaining the health of local ecosystems.
A remarkable initiative saw the introduction of 158 juvenile Floreana giant tortoises, which are part of the largest ecological restoration project in the Galápagos Islands. The juvenile tortoises are descended from a remnant population discovered on Wolf volcano on Isabela Island in 2008, which was found to have genetic ties to the Floreana subspecies. This reintroduction aims not only to revitalize the tortoise population but also to support the broader biodiversity of the island's habitats.
The Floreana project represents a broader commitment to conservation in the Galápagos, emphasizing the challenges of restoring ecosystems that have been impacted by human activity. By reestablishing the Floreana giant tortoises, conservationists hope to see the restoration of plant and animal life on the island and set a precedent for future ecological restoration efforts in similar environments.
