“I Get Goosebumps Thinking About It.” Giant Tortoises Return to Remote Galápagos Island After More Than 150-Year Absence

The release of 158 giant tortoises on the island of Floreana is a major milestone for Galápagos conservation.

158 giant tortoises have been released into the wild on Floreana, a remote, isolated island in the south of the Galápagos archipelago. 

The Floreana giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger niger) has been locally extinct on Floreana for over 150 years, due to over-exploitation by sailors and the presence of invasive species.

The return of the Floreana giant tortoise marks a historic milestone for Galápagos conservation – it’s the first of 12 locally extinct species that are planned to be officially reintroduced as part of the island’s ecological restoration.