Stud Tortoise Almost Single-Handedly Saves Species from Extinction

Diego, a satyromaniac 100-year-old tortoise, has prevented the extinction of his species by fathering over 800 children. Whoa!

The sex-hound tortoise is a Chelonoidis hoodensis, a special type of tortoise only found on the island of Espanola in the Galapagos islands.

However, Diego didn’t always live on the island. In fact, Diego had been making his home at the San Diego Zoo before he was identified as one of the waning species. But the identification, he was transported back to the island in 1976 and began work in the captive breeding program.

Before Diego arrived on Espanola there were only 2 males and 12 females. There are now over 2,000 tortoises on the island.

Diego still lives at the breeding center on nearby island Santa Cruz with a harem of six females who he still mates with.

Washington Tapia, a tortoise preservation specialist at the Galapagos National Park, talked about Diego’s fatherhood, “We did a genetic study and we discovered that he was the father of nearly 40 percent of the offspring released into the wild on Espanola.”

Tapia also lauded Diego’s prowess, “He’s a very sexually active male reproducer. He’s contributed enormously to repopulating the island.”

Diego weighs 82 kilograms and is close to 35 inches long!

Watch Diego’s story:

While Diego has brought back his species, other tortoises have failed in their duty to reinvigorate their own. Lonesome George a member of the Chelonoidis abingdoni ended his line in 2012 after refusing to mate after years in captivity.

Share if you are PROUD of Diego for saving his species!

H/T: Daily Mail