100-Year-Old Turtle Saves His Species
SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 14: In this handout image provided by SeaWorld San Diego, five African-spurred tortoises, also known as sulcata tortoises, enjoy time on the grass at SeaWorld San Diego June 14, 2012 in San Diego, California. The adult, named Buster, is about 20 years old, and the young ones are just under a year old. Sulcata tortoises are native to northern Africa and can live to be 100. Sulcata tortoises are common in pet stores, but are often relinquished by their pet owners, who aren't prepared for how big they get (they can weigh up to 150 pounds). SeaWorld guests can see Buster and friends near SeaWorld San Diego's Animal Connections area. (Photo by Mike Aguilera/SeaWorld San Diego via Getty Images)
The giant tortoises on Espanola in the Galapagos Islands were facing an extinction problem: at one point, just two males and 12 females remained of the species.
So directors at The Galapagos National Parks called in help, having the San Diego Zoo ship over one of their more randy turtles to repopulate.
Thanks to the efforts of Diego during the last 50 years, the tortoises now number over 2,000, with the 100-year-old fathering around 40-percent of the inhabitants.
Reportedly, Diego is being retired. However, James P. Gibbs, SUNY Syracuse professor of environmental and forest biology, tells The Washington Post that he’s still got plenty left, noting, “He might actually amp it up”.
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