Context:
The Galápagos National Park has released 158 hybrid giant tortoises on Floreana Island to restore ecological balance. These tortoises contain significant DNA from Chelonoidis niger, a giant tortoise species considered extinct for about 150 years.
About the Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean.
Location
- About 1,000 km west of Ecuador.
Geological origin
- Formed by volcanic activity at the meeting of the Nazca, Cocos and Pacific tectonic plates.
Ecological importance
- Famous evolutionary laboratory that influenced Charles Darwin and the theory of natural selection.
- High level of endemic species (species found nowhere else).
- UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site (since 1978).
About the Floreana Giant Tortoise
- The original Floreana giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) was hunted to extinction in the mid-19th century.
- Later, tortoises with mixed ancestry were discovered on Isabela Island.
- These hybrids carry genetic material of the extinct population.
What Are Hybrid Giant Tortoises?
Hybrid tortoises have mixed genetic ancestry.
Key points:
- Carry about 40–80% DNA of the extinct Floreana lineage.
- Identified through genetic analysis.
- Bred selectively to revive ecological functions of the extinct species.
IUCN Status
- Pure Floreana giant tortoise: Extinct (in wild / historically extinct)
- Genus Chelonoidis overall: mostly Endangered or Critically Endangered
transactions through mandatory digital confirmation and AI-based monitoring, while investigating the ₹590-crore discrepancy through an external forensic audit.
