Diego-The Giant Tortoise | 14 Jan 2020

Why in News

Recently, Diego (Chelonoidis hoodensis, or the giant tortoise species) has retired from the captive breeding programme in the Galapagos National Park, Ecuador.

• He will be returned to Española Island, from where he was taken around 80 years ago.

Key Points

• Diego is 100 years old and joined the breeding programme in 1976.
  
  • The tortoise population has since gone up from 15 to 2,000.
  • He is responsible for about 40% of the offspring produced.
• Another male tortoise ‘E5’ has generated about 60% offspring.
• Diego has a long leathery neck, dull-yellow face and beady eyes. Fully stretched out, he extends to about five feet and weighs about 176 pounds.
• The long neck is critical for his species’ survival, helping the tortoises crane their necks to feed on cacti.
• Threats:
  
  • Tortoises on the Galápagos Islands served as an excellent source of food for seafarers in the 1800s so a large number were picked up from the islands.
  • Feral goats on the islands posed another danger, competing for food, destroying the tortoises’ habitat.
• IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered

Source: IE