Galapagos Islands welcome back giant tortoises after 175 years
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After 175 years, giant tortoises with genes from the local lineage have returned to Floreana Island in the Galapagos archipelago. In February 2026, the Galapagos National Park Directorate, with support from conservation organizations, released 158 tortoises into the wild following decades of research and captive breeding.
The reintroduced tortoises descend from animals discovered over two decades ago on Wolf Volcano, Isabela Island. Genetic analysis connected these tortoises to the Floreana population, which disappeared from the island in the mid-19th century.
Researchers first noticed the tortoises’ unusual shell shapes during an expedition to Wolf Volcano in 2000, informally calling them “aliens” until their origins became clearer. Scientists believe that sailors, specifically pirates and whalers, transported the tortoises to Isabela Island, as they were used on ships for their ability to survive long periods without food or water. Some may have been abandoned near Wolf Volcano, while natural dispersal through floods is also possible, though human involvement is considered more likely.
These reintroduced tortoises are hybrids, carrying genes from both the original Floreana lineage and species from the Wolf Volcano region. Researchers have not yet located any genetically pure tortoises, but they found young tortoises with around 50% Floreana ancestry, suggesting that some original tortoises may still live in the area. The reintroduction aims not only to restore the tortoise population but also to reinstate their ecological roles as “ecosystem engineers” who help to shape vegetation and spread seeds.
