180 years later, the Floreana Tortoise Returns

Maeve Kiley

A Grand Return

One small step for a tortoise. One giant leap for tortoise kind. In 2026, the Floreana giant tortoise set foot on its namesake Galápagos island for the first time in 180 years. Scientists first found remnants of Floreana giant tortoises at Wolf Volcano on Isabella Island in 2008. By 2017, they established a “back-breeding” programme, determined to return the species to the island that had mourned their absence for nearly two centuries.

Although this may seem like a small blip in the crowded news cycle, it is a glimmer of hope for conservationists and endangered animal activism.

Victims of the 19th century

The Floreana giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger niger), native to the Galápagos archipelago, once grazed on endemic grasses, bitterbush, and cacti, and drank from cracks in lava rock as it moved across volcanic slopes.

Their total population was estimated to be close to 8,000 individual tortoises. Tragically, their species was cut short by the arrival of sailors, maritime workers, and settlers, who overfished and overhunted them for food. Oil was extracted from the fat in their bodies for candle oil and cooking. The hunters' survivors were terrorized by invasive species introduced

by farmers, including pigs, goats, dogs, cats, and donkeys. A massive wildfire broke out in 1820, consuming much of their grazing land and destroying their homes.

When Charles Darwin arrived in 1835, the tortoise population was on the verge of extinction. He observed only 20 tortoises from the once-flourishing population. By 1850, the tortoises had completely disappeared.

However, historical records show that some tortoises were moved from Floreana to other islands. These tortoises bred with the natives of Wolf Volcano, so the Floreana giant tortoise's DNA survived.

The Galápagos Conservation Trust

After two decades of tireless research on 23 hybrid tortoises with close genetic links to the Floreana giant tortoise and collaboration from scientists, researchers, charities, and local communities, 600 hatchlings had been born in the reintroduction program.

Dr. Jen Jones, chief executive of The Galápagos Conservation Trust, explained that the tortoises are “ecological engineers” whose role as a keystone species is crucial to the health of the island and other native species. Their movement and digging provide crucial seed dispersal and maintain open habitats. Their absence has been a noticeable challenge for Floreana Island.

Tortoises were watched and cared for with intense precision. The selected individuals for reintroduction and release had to be prepared for life in the wild. Scientists created controlled replicas of the conditions they would encounter in nature and waited until they reached 12 to 14 years of age.

To keep track of their progress, each tortoise has been fitted with a tiny GPS tracker for ongoing research and to identify emergencies if needed. Breeding tortoises will be kept in captivity to rebuild the population. Gradual release will continue for many years to come.

Hope for the Future

There are currently over 48,600 species listed as facing extinction due to pollution, habitat loss, overhunting, climate change, and invasive species threatening the lives of species across the globe. Estimates suggest that millions of species have already gone extinct, with the world feeling and mourning their loss.

However, conservation efforts and environmental healing initiatives are crucial to protecting not only environmental life but also human life. The intricate web of life is interconnected with many places, such as the Galápagos Islands, feeling the weight of a missing member. The reintroduction of the Floreana giant tortoise was not just about righting past wrongs, but about healing an ecosystem damaged by human interference.

Many times, it feels as if environmental efforts do not matter. The world is too busy to consider the earth, and there is simply too much damage to fix. Yet the Floreana giant tortoise homecoming proves progress is possible. When alliances form and trust grows, communities can help heal.

Works Cited:

Giant tortoises vanished from the galápagos’ Floreana Island more than 150 years ago. Now, conservationists have brought them back. (n.d.-a). https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/giant-tortoises-vanished-from-the-galapagos-floreana-island-more-than-150-years-ago-now-conservationists-have-brought-them-back-180988238/

Nicholls, H. (2026, February 12). The return of the Floreana Giant Tortoise. Galapagos Conservation Trust. https://galapagosconservation.org.uk/floreana-giant-tortoise-reintroduction/?srsltid=AfmBOooC_BaoX-s7feLBqQZS9o_dqx_7D2nUEe3Gq9wwZV9ckp3oRUZD

Rawnsley, J. (2026, February 21). Giant tortoises return to Galápagos Island after nearly 200 years. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9wn1jrzk4go

Rawnsley, J. (2026a, February 21). Giant tortoises return to Galápagos Island after nearly 200 years. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9wn1jrzk4go