158 giant tortoises have been released into the wild on Floreana, a remote, isolated island in the south of the Galápagos archipelago.
The Floreana giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger niger) has been locally extinct on Floreana for over 150 years, due to over-exploitation by sailors and the presence of invasive species.
The return of the Floreana giant tortoise marks a historic milestone for Galápagos conservation - it’s the first of 12 locally extinct species that are planned to be officially reintroduced as part of the island’s ecological restoration.
The tortoise is a keystone ‘ecosystem engineer’, vital for seed dispersal and habitat regeneration. “I get goosebumps thinking about it,” says Dr. Penny Becker, CEO of Island Conservation. "These tortoises aren’t just another species on a list - they’re the architects of this ecosystem. When they start roaming again, grazing and dispersing seeds, they’ll literally reshape the island. Their return is a signal that Floreana’s recovery is real and that years of hard, gritty work are paying off.”
The first release of a Floreana giant tortoise took place on 20 February 2026 in a special ceremony to mark the start of the historic reintroduction. The event was attended by the Chilean Ministry of Environment and Galapagos National Park, along with the local Floreana community, and NGOs, including Island Conservation, Jocotoco, Charles Darwin Foundation and Galapagos Conservancy, who have been working to restore and rewild the island as part of the Floreana Island Restoration Project partnership. More tortoises will be released in stages over the weekend.
Floreana giant tortoises were driven to extinction in the mid-1800s. The island was one of the first Galápagos islands inhabited by humans. The introduction of invasive species, including rodents, donkeys, goats and feral cats, disrupted ecosystems and caused major biodiversity loss.
Today, 54 species are considered threatened on Floreana and at least 13 endemic species have been locally lost, including the Floreana mockingbird and the giant tortoise.
Over a decade ago, work began on the Floreana Ecological Restoration Project, one of the Galápagos’ largest conservation initiatives, designed to restore the island’s natural balance. The project includes eliminating threats, such as invasive species that prey on or compete with native species, recovering native habitats to improve soil health, vegetation regeneration, water protection and ecological corridors, engaging with the local community, and establishing biosecurity and monitoring systems, as well as plans to reintroduce lost species.
The first invasive species control campaign took place in late 2023. Endemic bird populations, such as the small ground finch, are healthier, with more individuals. The island has also seen the rediscovery of the Pachay bird, unseen since Darwin’s visit in 1835, and the recovery of native snails not seen alive for over a century. Lizard and gecko populations have also surged. The return of the Floreana giant tortoise signals that years of eradication and habitat recovery have succeeded, and represents a turning point toward restoring the island’s natural balance.
The Floreana giant tortoises were brought over from a breeding centre on Santa Cruz island. “The real challenge has been the decade‑plus of collaborative work leading up to this: tackling invasive species, restoring habitat, building trust with the community, and making sure every decision is grounded in solid science,” Becker explains. “It’s slow, careful work, and most of it happens out of sight, and takes time, patience, and a lot of honest conversations. Without those years of collective groundwork, we wouldn’t be here today.”
Floreana has a small, close-knit community of around 160 people. As well as benefitting nature, it’s hoped the reintroduction of giant tortoises will also boost visitor numbers to the island, as well as providing local jobs in science and conservation.
Helping the tortoises to thrive will involve keeping Floreana free of invasive species, continuing to restore habitat, supporting current and new generations of the island’s community members, and preparing for the reintroduction of other native species to create a healthy ecosystem, including the Floreana mockingbird, the Floreana racer snake and the large ground finch. “Bringing tortoises back is a huge milestone, but it’s not the finish line,” says Becker. “It’s the start of a long, shared commitment.”
Top image: Giant tortoise. Credit: Marlon del Aguila | iLCP | Jocotoco
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