The Galapagos Islands are most famous for giant tortoises. There are many species and some are critically endangered. Around 50 years ago, there were only two males and twelve females of Diego's species alive on Espanola Island, and they were too spread out to reproduce.
In order to save the dying species, Galapogos National Park started a breeding programme on the nearby island of Santa Cruz. Galapagos giant tortoise Diego, who was living in a zoo in California, was brought to Galapagos National Park in 1960s to help with the programme.
Over the last 70 years Diego and two other males have fathered around 2000 offspring. There were 12 female tortoises who laid and buried thousands of eggs. Now that the population of tortoises is healthy, Diego is ready to go back home into his native habitat. Diego is 100 years old and spent most of his life (70 years) in captivity.
Diego weighs about 80 kilograms (175 pounds), is nearly 90 centimeters (35 inches) long and 1.5 meters (five feet) tall, if he really stretches his legs and neck.
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