Galápagos Giant Tortoise

Galápagos giant tortoise founder “Jumbo” with offspring at Zürich Zoo.
Gerrit Wehrenberg and Jan Mutter collecting genetic samples from Galápagos giant tortoises at Zürich Zoo, Switzerland. Photo: Tim Benz / Zoo Zürich
Galápagos giant tortoise breeding founders “Nigrita” and “Jumbo” at Zürich Zoo.
100th Galápagos giant tortoise baby from the founders “Nigrita” and “Jumbo” at Zürich Zoo.
Galápagos giant tortoise breeding founder “Jumbo” with offspring from 2013 as well as 2014 at Zürich Zoo, Switzerland.
Blood sample collection of “Jumbo” by Prof. Jean-Michel Hatt and Kevin Akeret.
Blood sample collection of “Jumbo” by Prof. Jean-Michel Hatt.
Galápagos giant tortoise “Oxana” at Zürich Zoo.
Galápagos giant tortoise breeding founder “Nigrita” at Zürich Zoo.
Galápagos giant tortoise breeding founder “Nigrita” at Zürich Zoo.
Gerrit Wehrenberg, Miriam Göbel, and Jan Mutter collecting genetic samples from Galápagos giant tortoises at Zürich Zoo, Switzerland. Photo: Tim Benz / Zoo Zürich
Non-invasive collection of faecal samples from Galápagos giant tortoises at Zürich Zoo, Switzerland. Photo: Tim Benz / Zoo Zürich
Cooling box with genetic samples will go to our molecular lab in Oulu, Finland.
Master’s student Hans-Peter Zopf processing the samples in the molecular lab in Oulu, Finland.
Galápagos giant tortoises at Barcelona Zoo. © Gerrit Wehrenberg

In 2026 we launched a new project focusing on the European ex situ population of the Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger-species complex).

We will investigate mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to assign captive individuals to their natural populations. This aligns with the One Plan Approach (OPA), as genetics is the most effective method for evaluating populations in terms of their value to species conservation. We also plan to examine hybridisation and genetic variability within the managed European population. As a very applied research project, we work very closely with the stakeholders. The molecular results will provide crutial information to inform the population management.

Thanks to the remarkable longevity of these gentle giants, we will even be able to include the original founder individuals brought to Europe!

Population Management