Tortoise with 800 offspring finally retires, saved his species

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Back in 1977, there were less than 20 giant tortoises left on Española Island, which is part of the Galapagos.  So researchers started a breeding program, and brought in a male tortoise named Diego that was living at the San Diego Zoo.

 

And in the last 43 years, his prolific SEX DRIVE has basically saved his entire species. They call him “Super Diego,” because there were only 14 giant tortoises when he got there.  And now, there are over TWO THOUSAND.

Roughly 40% are Diego’s offspring.  So he’s responsible for about 800 of them.  The researchers say lady tortoises find him extremely attractive for some reason.

 

The Galapagos National Park announced Diego’s retirement on Friday. Now over 100, Diego will finally retire to his home: Espanola Island.