Giant Tortoise thought to be extinct for 150 years may still exist, scientists say!

This tortoise is a hybrid of the species G. Becky and C. elephantopus, a species native to Floreana Island 300 kilometres away and thought to be extinct. Genetic analysis of tortoise population on Isabela Island suggests purebred individuals of C. elephantopus must still be alive on Isabela. (Yale University)

A species of a giant tortoise thought to have been extinct for over 150 years is believed to still exist. The tortoises which live for more than 100 years, weigh 1,984 kilograms (4374 lbs) and grow to nearly 2 meters (6.6 feet) in length are thought to have somehow evaded detection ~ possibly using the same methods the giant, 6"4, Osama Bin Laden used to evade capture by the US for so many years. 

"A species of giant tortoise believed to be extinct for 150 years was actually just moved from its original home and now lives on the volcanic slopes of the northern shore of Isabela Island in the Galapagos archipelago.

A genetic analysis, published in the latest Current Biology, found that DNA footprints of the long lost tortoise species, Chelonoidis elephantopus, exist in the genomes of its hybrid offspring. These tortoises turn out to be a mix of C. elephantopus and another giant tortoise from the area, C. becki.

While researchers have yet to isolate a purebred C. elephantopus individual, such tortoises must exist, based on the DNA data. The study marks the first time that a species has been rediscovered by way of tracking the genetic footprints left in the genomes of its hybrid offspring."

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