Giant tortoises return to Galápagos island after nearly 200 years

Giant tortoises have been reintroduced to Floreana Island in the Galápagos for the first time in over 180 years. The release of 158 captive-bred juvenile tortoises is part of the Floreana Ecological Restoration Project, led by the Galápagos National Park Directorate. The native Floreana tortoise species went extinct in the 1840s due to exploitation by sailors. This reintroduction became possible after scientists discovered tortoises with Floreana ancestry on Isabela Island and initiated a breeding program in 2017. Conservationists plan to release more tortoises in the future, hoping they will help restore the island's ecosystem. The project represents a significant milestone for island restoration efforts worldwide.

In February 2026, over 150 giant tortoises were reintroduced to Floreana Island in the Galapagos, Ecuador. This marks their return after an absence of nearly 150 years. The disappearance of the tortoises significantly impacted the island's ecosystem. The reintroduction is part of a long-term conservation project. The goal of the project is to restore the island's ecological balance.

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.