In a major conservation milestone, 158 giant tortoises were reportedly released on Floreana Island in the Galápagos archipelago on Friday, February 20, 2026. According to Swedish media reports, this marks the return of the Chelonoidis niger subspecies to its native habitat after approximately 150 years of local extinction.
The young tortoises, aged between 8 and 13 years, were reportedly bred in captivity and specially selected for reintroduction into the wild. Sources indicate the animals share largely the same genetic makeup as the original tortoises that once inhabited the island.
Chelonoidis niger, a subspecies of the Galápagos giant tortoise, disappeared from Floreana Island around 150 years ago. Historical accounts suggest that approximately 200 years ago, around 20,000 individuals of this species lived on the island before being wiped out by extensive fires and human exploitation.
The released tortoises represent the first group of what could eventually total up to 700 animals planned for reintroduction to Floreana Island as part of ongoing conservation efforts to restore the island's native ecosystem.