Illustrated News
Diego was among 14 tortoises there were only two
January 17, 2020
Summary
Diego was among 14 tortoises (there were only two males and 12 females of Diego’s species alive) selected to take part in a breeding programme on Santa Cruz Island. The programme has been a success, producing more than 2,000 giant tortoises since it began in the 1960s.
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Diego’s sex drive was said to be one of the main reasons.
The 100-year-old tortoise has fathered hundreds of progeny, around 800 by some estimates. He will join a 1,800-strong tortoise population, at least 40% of which park rangers believe he has fathered.
The Galápagos Islands, 906km (563 miles) west of continental Ecuador, are a Unesco World Heritage site renowned worldwide for their unique array of plants and wildlife.
[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-51073620](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-51073620)