Floreana giant tortoise reintroduced to Galápagos island after almost 200 years

The Guardian - World News EnvironmentalNews ReportEN 3 min read 100% complete by Patrick BarkhamFebruary 20, 2026 at 10:00 PM

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Giant tortoises return to Galápagos island after nearly 200 years

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After nearly 200 years, the Floreana giant tortoise, driven to extinction in the 1840s, has been reintroduced to Floreana Island in the Galápagos. In 2008, a relic population with Floreana ancestry was discovered on Isabela Island's Wolf volcano, leading to a captive breeding program in 2017. The program selected hybrid tortoises most closely related to the Floreana subspecies to recreate a genetically similar population. As of 2025, over 600 hatchlings were born, and 158 juvenile tortoises have been released on Floreana as part of the Floreana Ecological Restoration Project. This reintroduction aims to restore the island's ecosystem, which was damaged by invasive species following the arrival of sailors and settlers.

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Key Claims (5)

AI-Extracted

This moment marks an important step toward a future where conservation and community wellbeing go hand in hand

quote — Verónica Mora, a Floreana community representative100% confidence

An invasive species eradication programme began in 2023 and has removed most of the rats and feral cats.

factual100% confidence

158 juvenile giant tortoises descended from the Floreana subspecies have been returned to the island.

factual100% confidence

The Floreana giant tortoise was driven to extinction in the 1840s by whalers.

factual100% confidence

Floreana giant tortoise reintroduced to Galápagos island after almost 200 years.

factual100% confidence

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Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Pacific Ocean 30% Charles Darwin 40% Galápagos National Park Directorate 40% Isabela Island ×250% Wolf Volcano ×260% Galápagos Islands ×280% Floreana Island ×1090%

Keywords

giant tortoise 100% galápagos islands 90% floreana island 80% reintroduction 70% ecological restoration 70% invasive species 60% back breeding program 50% extinction 50% wildlife conservation 40%