When 100-year-old giant tortoise Lonesome George died in 2012, the world thought his species was lost forever. The Galápagos tortoise complex or Galápagos giant tortoise complex (Chelonoidis nigra and related species) are the largest living species of tortoise.Modern Galápagos tortoises can weigh up to 417 kg (919 lb). In this Jan. 25, 2020, photo released by Galapagos National Park, a helicopter transports tortoises near Wolf Volcano on Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Little tortoises with genes of the Floreana Island giant tortoise species in a breeding center at the Galapagos National Park in Santa Cruz Island. Chelonoidis nigra (the Galápagos tortoise) is a tortoise species complex endemic to the Galápagos Islands.It includes at least 13, and possibly up to 16, species. Lonesome George, by Vicki Seal "Team of Veterinarians Prepare Hybrid Tortoises for Release on Pinta Island in 2010" (Press release). Diego singlehandedly fathered about 40% of … Galapagos Conservancy. Article on Lonesome George The giant tortoise of Galapagos Island. Diego, the tortoise who saved his species from extinction, finally released to the wilds INQUIRER.net / 06:59 PM June 17, 2020 Diego the tortoise on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, Ecuador. A group of giant tortoises who have lived in captivity for decades and helped rescue their species from the brink of extinction were released into the wild in the Galapagos Islands on Monday. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. A 100-year-old Galapagos tortoise who single-handedly saved his species by fathering 800 offspring is set for release. FILE PHOTO: A giant tortoise is seen on a road at Santa Cruz island at Galapagos National Park June 16, 2020, 7:38 PM (Reuters) - A group of giant tortoises who have lived in captivity for decades and helped rescue their species from the brink of extinction were released into the wild in the Galapagos Islands on Monday. Diego, believed to be taken from the Galapagos … We went to the Galápagos Islands looking for 'extinct' tortoises … The Galapagos giant tortoise is one of the most famous animals of the Islands, with the Archipelago itself being named after them (Galapágo is an old Spanish word for tortoise).The giant tortoise arrived in Galapagos from mainland South America 2-3 million years ago, where they underwent diversification into 14 species, differing in their morphology and distribution. Species Overview. The tortoise arrived at the island in 1977 and immediately participated in the Galapagos Conservancy’s captive breeding program. February 3, 2010.