Discovering the Fernandina Giant Tortoise
On October 23rd, Animal Planet launched the second season of the television series Extinct or Alive with the long-awaited episode featuring the promising rediscovery of the Fernandina Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis phantasticus). News of the potential rediscovery was reported in February and has proven to be one of the biggest conservation stories of 2019. Genetic confirmation is still pending, but further expeditions are warranted to gather more evidence of a viable population. Check out our video to hear how the Turtle Conservancy helped biologist Forrest Gallante and his team plan their successful expedition to Fernandina Island in the Galápagos.
If you missed the episode, you can view it at animalplanet.com, or purchase it on various streaming platforms. You can also read more about the history surrounding this species in the latest issue of The Tortoise Magazine.