Galapagos island sees return of ‘alien tortoises’ absent since the 19th century

Key Points:

• The giant tortoises of the Galápagos, once heavily exploited by 16th-century pirates and whalers for food due to their resilience, saw populations decline by 100,000 to 200,000 over two centuries, with some species becoming extinct.
• In 2000, researchers discovered tortoises of the extinct Floreana lineage on Wolf Volcano, likely introduced by human activity, leading to conservation efforts including captive breeding and reintroduction programs.
• The Fausto Llerena Land Tortoise Breeding Center has successfully bred and released thousands of tortoises, including hybrids of the Floreana lineage, using advanced techniques such as temperature-controlled incubation and satellite tracking supported by NASA.
• Giant tortoises play a crucial ecological role as "ecosystem engineers" by dispersing seeds and modifying plant communities, which supports biodiversity and ecosystem health in the Galápagos.
• Conservation efforts in the Galápagos involve collaboration between government, organizations, and locals, focusing on species recovery and invasive species control, with the tortoises symbolizing resilience and long-term ecological restoration.