A group of 36 giant tortoises born in captivity have been repatriated to their habitat on San Cristóbal Island, one of the main ones in the Ecuadorian archipelago of Galapagos.
The tortoises -from the Chelonoidis chathamensis species, one of 15 common subcategories of Galapagos tortoises- were introduced into their natural habitat in the northwestern part of San Cristóbal, where there is an estimated population of 6,700 of these animals, said a statement by the national park of Galapagos (PNG).
"The scientific information that we have on these turtles confirms that they remain healthy, with a good population structure that guarantees their survival," said PNG director Danny Rueda. But the species is in danger of extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), AFP reported.
The turtles, between six and eight years old and weighing three to four and a half kilos, went through a rigorous quarantine process prior to their release to ensure they won't transmit any disease or parasite to their new habitat.
In the last eight years, a total of 75 Chelonoidis chathamensis turtles bred in captivity have been repatriated to San Cristóbal. The Galapagos Island has unique flora and fauna in the world.
The archipelago, which served as a natural laboratory for the English scientist Charles Darwin for his theory on the evolution of species, takes its name from the gigantic turtles that live there.
