A species of giant tortoise believed to have been extinct for more than 100 years has been discovered on the Galapagos island of Fernandina, according to Ecuador’s government.
According to Ecuador’s government, the adult female, believed to be more than a century old, was seen alive on Sunday during an expedition by the Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative (GTRI).
BREAKING NEWS! GC’s own @wacho_tapia just returned from Fernandina Island in #Galapagos, where they discovered a female #tortoise. Tortoises on Fernandina have been thought to be extinct for over 100 years, so this is a monumental finding! Photos © GNPD, W. Tapia pic.twitter.com/fhQpIzsHmM
— GalapagosConservancy (@SaveGalapagos) February 20, 2019
ALSO READ: Samsung unveils long-awaited Galaxy Fold at approx. Rs 1,41,000
Experts believe she is not alone. The tracks and scent of other tortoises, believed to be of the same species, were also observed by the team.
The Fernandina Giant Tortoise is one of 14 giant tortoise species native to the Galapagos Islands, most of which are endangered.
The tortoises have been killed over the past two centuries, both for food and for their oil, according to the Galapagos Conservancy, which jointly forms GTRI with the Galapagos National Park.