After an absence of over 180 years, giant tortoises have returned to Floreana Island in the Galápagos archipelago of Ecuador. A group of 158 juvenile hybrids were recently introduced to the island as part of a “back breeding” program initiated in 2017. This initiative aims to revive the population of giant tortoises on the island, which had been driven to extinction in the 1840s due to whalers, a massive fire, and human exploitation.
Conservation biologist James Gibbs likened the event to watching his children take their first steps, as the young tortoises eagerly explored their new surroundings upon release. These juveniles, expected to reach weights of up to 600 pounds in the next couple of decades, are part of a larger plan to gradually reintroduce a total of 700 tortoises to Floreana. They carry a significant genetic resemblance to the extinct Floreana species, making their reintroduction crucial for the island’s ecosystem.
According to biologist Washington Tapia, reintroducing these tortoises with a genetic connection to the original species is essential for rebuilding the lost lineage on Floreana Island. Beyond simply increasing numbers, the goal is to rejuvenate the island’s ecosystem, with the hope that these tortoises, with lifespans exceeding a century, will contribute to its restoration over time.
The release of the tortoises was a painstaking process, with park rangers carrying the juveniles up the slopes of the island to their designated release sites. The tortoises are now cohabiting the island with various wildlife and around 200 human residents, as well as dealing with threats from non-native species introduced by humans, such as rats, cats, pigs, and donkeys.
Equipped with GPS trackers, researchers are monitoring the tortoises’ movements closely in real-time to ensure their successful acclimatization to their new (or old) habitat. The trackers allow for continuous observation of the tortoises’ behaviors and locations, ensuring their well-being and integration into the island’s ecosystem.