Hybrid turtles revive forest giant after 150 years

Environmental conservation efforts on Floreana Island in the Galápagos Islands have successfully organized the release of 158 land giant tortoises after nearly 150 years of absence. The species was on the brink of extinction due to 19th-century whaling activities, during which turtles were used as a food source. Two genetically mixed tortoise lineages were discovered, one being a hybrid between the Volcan Wolf tortoise and Floreana species, during surveys conducted in 2000. These efforts are expected to help restore the ecological balance of the island, as tortoises play a vital role in seed dispersal and habitat preparation. Reintroduction operations will continue in the coming years to bring wildlife back to the island, with measures in place to ensure success by preventing early mating and timing the maturity of the tortoises appropriately.

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