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Feared extinct for 112 years, rediscovered Galapagos Tortoise in need of a mate

Scientists confirmed that the female tortoise found on Fernandina Island in 2019 is a Fernandina Giant Tortoise, a species that was considered extinct for more than a century

By Venkitesh S

Updated On - 31 May 2021, 02:17 AM

Feared extinct for 112 years, rediscovered Galapagos Tortoise in need of a mate — “Fernanda,” the female tortoise found on Fernandina Island. Photo: Galapagos Conservancy

Hyderabad: Fernanda, a lone female, is on the lookout for love. But, she is not a human and her search for a companion is to avoid the extinction of an endangered species.

In a joint expedition in 2019, the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) and Galapagos Conservancy found a female tortoise, named Fernanda on Fernandina Island – the westernmost island in the Galapagos Islands. Now, scientists at Yale University have confirmed that she is a Fernandina Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis phantasticus), last reported 112 years ago and long considered extinct.

Soon after confirming the rediscovery, Galapagos Conservancy, an agency working for preserving the unique biodiversity and ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands, announced that they will launch an urgent expedition to Fernandina Island to find a mate for Fernanda and save the species.

“One of the greatest mysteries in Galapagos has been the Fernandina Island Giant Tortoise. Rediscovering this lost species may have occurred just in the nick of time to save it. We now urgently need to complete the search of the island to find other tortoises,” said Dr. James Gibbs, Vice President of Science and Conservation for the Galapagos Conservancy, as quoted by the conservancy.

Fernandina Island’s landscape is dominated by an active volcano that makes expeditions very challenging. If a male tortoise is located on the volcanic terrain, he will be united with Fernanda at the Galapagos National Park’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Center in Santa Cruz, the Galapagos Conservancy said in a statement. They also urged public support to raise funds for the expedition, which will cost 327,000 USD.

In 2012, a male Pinta Island tortoise named Lonesome George, the last known individual of his species, died without finding a mate. George was found by Hungarian malacologist Jozsef Vagvolgyi in 1971. But, the expeditions to find a mate for George went in vain. Park rangers at GNPD are hopeful that they can avert the same fate for Fernanda by finding a companion.

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