Archive · 20 Nov 2025
Diego the Tortoise: A 100-Year-Old Conservation Hero
Diego, a 100-year-old Galápagos giant tortoise, saved his subspecies from extinction by having many babies in a breeding program.
He was then allowed to live freely on his home island with his family.
Diego, a Galápagos giant tortoise, helped save his subspecies from extinction
Believed to have originated from Española Island, he was part of a captive breeding program
Fathered 800-900 offspring, contributing to the stabilization of the tortoise population on Española
His success highlights the power of long-term conservation planning
Diego was released back to his native island in 2020, living among his descendants
- Who
- Diego, a Galápagos giant tortoise
- What
- Saved his subspecies from extinction through a breeding program
- When
- Over a period of 40 years, with his release back to his native island in 2020
- Where
- Española Island, Galápagos archipelago
- Why
- To restore an ecosystem disrupted by human impact
- Subspecies
- Chelonoidis hoodensis
- Native Island
- Española Island
- Offspring
- 800-900
- Breeding Program Duration
- 40 years
- Release Year
- 2020