Media playback is unsupported on your device
Media captionThe tortoise that has saved his species from extinction
A giant tortoise whose legendary libido has been credited with saving his species from extinction is to return to the wild on the Galápagos Islands.Diego was among 14 male tortoises selected to take part in a breeding programme on Santa Cruz Island. The programme has been a success, producing more than 2,000 giant tortoises since it began in the 1960s.Diego’s sex drive was said to be one of the main reasons.The 100-year-old tortoise has fathered hundreds of progeny, around 800 by some estimates.The programme has now finished, and Diego will be returned to his native island of Española in March, the Galápagos National Parks service (PNG) said.He will join a 1,800-strong tortoise population, at least 40% of which park rangers believe he has fathered.”He’s contributed a large percentage to the lineage that we are returning to Española,” Jorge Carrion, the park’s director, told AFP news agency.”There’s a feeling of happiness to have the possibility of returning that tortoise to his natural state.”The park service believes Diego was taken from the Galápagos 80 years ago by a scientific expedition.
Image copyright
EPA
Image caption
Diego has fathered hundreds progeny
Around 50 years ago, there were only two males and 12 females of Diego’s species alive on Espanola. To save his species, Chelonoidis hoodensis, Diego was brought in from California’s San Diego Zoo.Diego is currently in quarantine before his triumphant return to Española, considered one of the oldest parts of the Galápagos.
Image copyright
EPA
Image caption
The island of Española is now home to round 1,800 tortoises
The Galápagos Islands, 906km (563 miles) west of continental Ecuador, are a Unesco World Heritage site renowned worldwide for their unique array of plants and wildlife.The indigenous species found on the Galápagos, including iguanas and tortoises, played a key role in the development of Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.Tourists across the globe travel there to see its biodiversity.
Read More
Listen to top Radio Stations in Abia State CLICK HERE
Support Afnews Independent Journalism
At Afnews, we are dedicated to providing accurate, insightful, and timely news coverage. Our commitment to journalistic integrity ensures that you receive trustworthy information, unfiltered and unbiased. To maintain our independence and continue delivering quality content, we rely on the support of our readers.
If you value the work we do, please consider making a contribution. Your support enables us to keep bringing you the stories that matter.
Donate today and help us keep independent journalism alive. Thank you for your support!
