GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS, Ecuador — Editor's Note: The pictured tortoise above is not the one discovered in the Galapagos.
A giant tortoise found in 2019 on the Galapagos island of Fernandina is said to be part of a species that was considered extinct more than 100 years ago, Ecuador confirmed.
The discovery spurred an expedition by the Galapagos National Park to find more of the tortoises in hopes that they could mate and save the species.
Scientists from Yale University found that the DNA of the female tortoise matched that of the Chelonoidis phantasticus species. The sample used came from a male of the species which was collected during a 1906 expedition, scientists say.
According to the Galapagos Conservancy, the giant reptile species was believed to be extinct due to volcanic eruptions. The current population of giant tortoises throughout the Galapagos is around 15 percent of its historical numbers, which equates to around 300,000.
The unique animals which live on the remote islands where the tortoise was discovered, some 600 miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador, are famed in part for inspiring Charles Darwin's thoughts on evolution.
What other people are reading right now:
- Can employers make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory?
- Tampa company helps first-time offenders get back on track
- IKEA recalls bowls, plates and mugs due to burn hazard
- Federal unemployment ending in one month: Unemployed Floridians can get more help
- 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' author Eric Carle dies at 91
►Breaking news and weather alerts: Get the free 10 Tampa Bay app
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter
