Galápagos tortoise once believed extinct is now roaming free

image via New Scientist

February 27, 2026, 12:30 PM

• •Floreana giant tortoises, thought extinct, have been reintroduced to Floreana Island.
• •The tortoises are hybrid descendants of the original Floreana population.
• •The reintroduction is part of a captive breeding program aimed at restoring the island's ecosystem.
• •The return of the tortoises is expected to benefit the island's biodiversity.

After disappearing 180 years ago, Floreana giant tortoises have returned to their native island. These tortoises, with Floreana ancestry, were bred in a captive program and released to restore the island's ecosystem. The return of these keystone species is expected to revitalize the island's forests and ecological balance. This initiative underscores the potential to reverse environmental damage and restore lost biodiversity.

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