“Giant Tortoises Return to Galápagos Island After 180+ Years”

LISTEN | Giant tortoises return to Galápagos island after more than 180 years:

As It Happens6:36Giant Tortoises return to Galápagos island after more than 180 years

After an absence of over 180 years, giant tortoises have made a comeback to Floreana Island in the Galápagos archipelago, Ecuador.

In a significant conservation effort, 158 juvenile hybrids were recently reintroduced to the Galápagos island, which was once home to around 20,000 giant tortoises. This reintroduction project, known as “back breeding,” began in 2017 to revive the Floreana tortoise population that was wiped out in the 1840s due to various factors like whalers, a devastating fire, and human exploitation.

James Gibbs, a conservation biologist and the Vice President of Science and Conservation at the Galápagos Conservancy, likened the event to witnessing his own children taking their first steps, noting the enthusiasm of the young tortoises as they eagerly explored their new environment.

The released juvenile tortoises are part of a larger plan to gradually introduce a total of 700 tortoises to Floreana. These juveniles, ranging in age between eight and 13, are expected to reach weights of up to 600 pounds over the next 10 to 20 years. According to Christina Sevilla, the director of ecosystems at the Galapagos National Park, these juveniles carry a significant genetic resemblance, ranging from 40% to 80%, to the extinct Floreana species known as Chelonoidis niger.

Biologist Washington Tapia emphasized the importance of reintroducing a species with a strong genetic connection to the original inhabitants of the island. He highlighted that the initiative goes beyond merely increasing numbers but aims to restore a lost genetic lineage.

The hope is that these young tortoises, with a lifespan of over a century, will contribute to the restoration of Floreana Island’s ecosystem over time. The 158 newcomers, weighing between 30 to 50 pounds, are expected to play a crucial role in the island’s ecological recovery.

The release

The tortoise release operation was a labor-intensive process guided by care and dedication. Gibbs and the park rangers carried the juvenile tortoises on their backs from the ship to the release sites on the volcanic island, enduring challenging conditions before setting them free to roam in the wild.

The tortoises were divided into two groups: one group of 50 was released in a drier lowland area, while the remaining 108 were released in slightly moister highlands. It is anticipated that many of them will eventually migrate towards the highland farmlands, attracted by richer foliage and more abundant water sources.

Sharing the island with approximately 200 human residents and a diverse range of wildlife, including flamingos, iguanas, penguins, gulls, and hawks, the juvenile tortoises also face challenges from non-native species like rats, cats, pigs, and donkeys, as well as invasive plants such as blackberry and guava.

Fredy Villalba, the director of the Galapagos National Park breeding center, reassured that the tortoises are equipped to defend themselves against introduced predators like rats and cats, emphasizing their readiness for survival in their new habitat.

To monitor the tortoises’ movements, each one has been fitted with GPS trackers, allowing researchers to observe their behavior in real-time. Gibbs mentioned that continuous monitoring will ensure the well-being and adaptation of the tortoises to their new or rather, old, home.