Giant tortoises have been released in the Galapagos Islands, specifically on Floreana Island, to play their crucial ecological role in restoring the ecosystem that thrived about 150 years ago. Kristian Sevilla, the ecosystem director of Galapagos National Park, noted that this symbolic species serves a vital purpose in transforming the ecosystem. Two centuries ago, approximately 20,000 giant tortoises inhabited the island, but they were driven to extinction by human activities and devastating wildfires.

After many years of dedicated research and breeding efforts, scientists have successfully raised young tortoises in captivity and have now transported 158 individuals aged between eight and thirteen years to Floreana Island. These tortoises will have to coexist with approximately 200 local residents and other introduced fauna and flora species like rats, cats, pigs, and donkeys, which pose potential challenges for their survival and ecological integration. This project is significant not only for the island but also for broader ecological efforts, as the remote and isolated archipelago holds a crucial spot in scientific history.

The Galapagos Islands are famed for their unique biodiversity and played a crucial role in Charles Darwin's theory of evolution in the 19th century. The successful reintroduction of these giant tortoises is seen as a step towards reviving the island's lost ecological heritage and represents ongoing conservation efforts aimed at restoring the delicate balance of life in this remarkable environment.