Fernanda, the Tortoise Thought Extinct
For more than a century, the giant tortoise of one Galápagos island was known from a single specimen. Then rangers found a living one.
What was reported
The Fernandina giant tortoise was known from just one male, collected in 1906 on Fernandina, a young volcanic island of lava fields where few plants grow. Searches found nothing more, and it was thought to be extinct.
In 2019, rangers found an old female tortoise in a small patch of vegetation on the island. She was nicknamed Fernanda. In 2022, DNA tests confirmed she belonged to the lost species.
Explanations offered
Fernandina's harsh landscape and active volcano make it hard to search. Signs of other tortoises have since been seen, and scientists hope to find a mate for her.
- When
- Found in 2019
- Where
- Fernandina Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
- Witnesses
- Galápagos park rangers and scientists
- Status
- Confirmed
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