STORY: Ecuador’s environment ministry said on Friday (February 20) it has released 158 giant tortoises on Floreana Island, marking a major step in a reintroduction program aimed at restoring a lineage that disappeared locally in the 19th century.

The release was carried out by the Galapagos National Park Directorate as part of the Floreana ecological restoration project, according to a government statement.

The ministry said the tortoises were bred and raised at the Fausto Llerena captive breeding center, in Santa Cruz island, using animals with strong genetic ties to a lineage rediscovered on Wolf Volcano.

According to the environment ministry, the genetic research enabled the breeding program and will allow a phased return of tortoises to Floreana, based on technical criteria.

The ministry added that the release is intended to lay the groundwork for the future reintroduction of up to 12 endemic species considered locally extinct on the island.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: FLOREANA ISLAND, GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR (FEBRUARY 20, 2026) (ECUADOREAN MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT - Access All) (MUTE)

1. TORTOISES BEING RELEASED ON FLOREANA ISLAND

2. TORTOISE INSIDE BOX

3. TORTOISES BEING RELEASED

4. TORTOISE WALKING

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR (FEBRUARY 20, 2026) (ECUADOREAN MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT - Access All) (MUTE)

5. TORTOISES INSIDE TRUCK

6. VARIOUS OF PARK RANGERS REMOVING TORTOISES FROM REFUGE AND PARK PASSING TURTLES BETWEEN THEM

7. PARK RANGERS REMOVING TORTOISES FROM TRUCK AND PLACING THEM INSIDE BOXES

8. PARK RANGERS CARRYING BOX WITH TORTOISES AND PLACING IT INTO BOAT

9. BOXES WITH TORTOISES INSIDE BOAT BEING TRANSPORTED

FLOREANA ISLAND, GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR (FEBRUARY 20, 2026) (ECUADOREAN MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT - Access All) (MUTE)

10. VARIOUS OF PARK RANGERS CARRYING BOX WITH TORTOISES ON THEIR BACKS

11. DRONE SHOT OF PARK RANGERS CARRYING BOX WITH TORTOISES ON THEIR BACKS

12. DRONE SHOT OF PARK RANGERS AND OFFICIALS GATHERED ON THE ISLAND

13. DRONE SHOT OF FLOREANA ISLAND