Diego the Galápagos Tortoise Retires After Fathering 800 Offspring and Saving His Species from Extinction

SAN DIEGO — In one of the most inspiring wildlife success stories of the century, Diego, a 100-year-old Galápagos tortoise, has officially retired to the wild after playing a monumental role in saving his species from extinction.

For decades, Diego was part of a captive breeding program that aimed to revive the dwindling Española giant tortoise population — a subspecies once on the brink of disappearing completely. When Diego first joined the effort in the 1970s, only 15 tortoises were known to exist.

A Heroic Role in Species Recovery

Brought from the San Diego Zoo to the Galápagos National Park, Diego quickly became the cornerstone of the conservation project. Wildlife officials say his high fertility and stamina helped produce more than 800 offspring, dramatically boosting the species’ numbers to over 2,000 tortoises today.

Scientists credit Diego’s incredible genetic contribution as one of the primary reasons the Española tortoise population has rebounded so successfully.

“Diego’s contribution to the species’ survival cannot be overstated,” said Washington Tapia, a conservation manager with the Galápagos National Park Directorate. “Thanks to his efforts, future generations will be able to see these tortoises thriving once again in their natural habitat.”

A Return to Freedom

After nearly half a century of service, Diego has now been returned to his native island of Española — his rightful home in the Galápagos archipelago. His release marks the culmination of a decades-long project that transformed an endangered species into a growing, sustainable population.

Images shared by conservationists show Diego slowly making his way across the island’s volcanic terrain — strong, healthy, and finally free.

From San Diego to the Galápagos: A Journey of Legacy

Diego’s story began at the San Diego Zoo, where he lived for several decades before being identified as a genetic match for the near-extinct Española tortoises. Transferred to Ecuador in the mid-20th century, he became one of three males responsible for repopulating the species.

Over the years, his remarkable breeding success made him an international conservation icon. Scientists estimate that Diego’s genetic lineage now represents a large portion of the current Española tortoise population.

A Global Symbol of Hope

Wildlife experts and environmentalists have hailed Diego’s story as a shining example of how dedicated conservation programs — combined with individual perseverance — can reverse the tide of extinction.

“He is living proof that one individual, given the right circumstances, can help save an entire species,” said the Charles Darwin Foundation in a statement.

Now, Diego spends his days roaming the island he helped repopulate — a fitting retirement for the tortoise whose efforts changed the course of his species’ history.

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