More than 150 giant tortoises have been reintroduced to Floreana Island in Ecuador’s famed Galápagos archipelago, where they disappeared more than a century ago.
It marks a major step in a reintroduction program aimed at restoring a lineage that disappeared locally in the 19th century.
According to the environment ministry, genetic research enabled the breeding programme and will allow a phased return of tortoises based on technical criteria.
The release is also intended to lay the groundwork for reintroducing up to 12 endemic species considered locally extinct on the island.