Giant tortoises return to Floreana in a milestone rewilding effort

Dozens of juvenile giant tortoises—158 animals aged roughly 8 to 13—walked onto the volcanic slopes of Floreana this week, marking the first time the species has lived on the island in more than a century. The timed release, which coincided with the season’s first rains, is the opening phase of a planned reintroduction that conservation authorities hope will reestablish tortoises as a visible part of Floreana’s landscape.

The animals are the product of a deliberate “back‑breeding” effort that traces Floreana ancestry to tortoises discovered on Wolf Volcano. Scientists selected parent animals with the strongest genetic links and bred successive generations in captivity; the young released carry a substantial portion of the original Floreana genetic profile and join a wider plan that aims to return about 700 tortoises to the island over time.

Scientific planning guided where the tortoises were released. Satellite‑based habitat mapping and a decision tool built from remote sensing and field data helped teams identify sites with food, water and nesting potential now and into the future. Those technical tools were paired with on‑the‑ground work to reduce invasive predators and prepare the island for the newcomers.

For the island’s small community, the return is both symbolic and practical. Residents described pride at seeing tortoises back on ancestral ground, and conservation partners note links between invasive species control and improvements for local agriculture and native wildlife. The release forms part of a broader restoration programme that has already supported a resurgence of other native species and aims to reintroduce additional endemics in coming years.

This moment stands out because it combines genetics, satellite science and local action to revive a keystone species that shapes habitat for many others. The success of the first phase will be measured over decades, but the coordinated approach—selective breeding, habitat modelling and community engagement—offers a clear example of how long‑term restoration can reconnect a place to its ecological past.

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