To Save an Ecosystem, Islanders Turn to Tortoises

Thought Question: How do you think bringing back an important plant or animal could change a place over time?

Floreana is one of the islands in the Galápagos. It hasn’t been home to the archipelago’s famed giant tortoises in more than 150 years. On Friday, humans helped the species make a comeback. It'll hopefully allow Floreana to do the same. 

Floreana is at the southern tip of the Galápagos chain. Two hundred years ago, about 20,000 giant tortoises lived on the 67-square-mile island. Human expansion, invasive predators, and a massive fire wiped out Floreana’s tortoises, though. The island hasn’t been the same since.

Giant tortoises were a keystone species. As such, they were crucial to the biodiversity of the island. That diversity has dwindled in recent decades. Working with Galápagos National Park staff and the Charles Darwin Foundation, island leaders welcomed 158 giant tortoises this month. They will be closely watched for health and safety as they roam about. In turn, the tortoises will help restore Floreana’s threatened ecosystem. 

Rakan Zahawi is the Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation. In a press release, he said that diverse habitats allow species to move, live, and evolve. He added that giant tortoises play a crucial role in this system. They disperse seeds. They shape the flora. And they impact how landscapes grow and evolve. 

The youngest tortoises are 8 years old. The oldest are 13. They were bred to carry as much DNA from the island's former tortoises as possible.  

Veronica Mora lives on Floreana Island. In a press release, Mora said the health of the island is crucial. Tourism depends on it. Agriculture depends on it. Fishing depends on it too. The health of the island allows people to make a living. The tortoises will play a key role. 

Photo of Galápagos tortoises from Island Conservation press release.