Thursday, March 5, 2015

First Tortoises In Over A Century Born On Galapagos Islands And There May Be More To Come

Successful effort to eradicate rats helps tortoises to breed in wild again.

After decades-long conservation efforts, biologists on Galapagos Island reported the discovery of 10 saddleback tortoise hatchlings.

After decades-long conservation efforts, biologists on Galapagos Island reported the discovery of 10 saddleback tortoise hatchlings.

The discovery was made late last year.

James Gibbs

Scientists working at the Galapagos National Park suspect there could be more than 100 undiscovered hatchlings on the island, but their size and colour make the hatchlings hard to spot.

Scientists working at the Galapagos National Park suspect there could be more than 100 undiscovered hatchlings on the island, but their size and colour make the hatchlings hard to spot.

James Gibbs

Over the last century, rats, whalers, and pirates almost wiped out the tortoise population. Conservation programs were then put in place to save the last 100 of the species.

Over the last century, rats, whalers, and pirates almost wiped out the tortoise population. Conservation programs were then put in place to save the last 100 of the species.

James Gibbs

This involved harvesting eggs on another island and bringing back the offsprings when they were big enough not to be eaten by rats.

This involved harvesting eggs on another island and bringing back the offsprings when they were big enough not to be eaten by rats.

James Gibbs

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