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Tortoises of Española: A conservation success story

Galapagos giant tortoise amongst vegetation
© Ben Howitt

Introduction

Learning objectives

  • Recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things.
  • Explore the captive breeding programme of the Española tortoises and its success.
  • To understand the threats the tortoises faced and what led to their decline.

Students’ outcomes

  • To be able to explain how the captive breeding programme of the Española tortoises has been a success.
  • To identify the threats that faced the tortoise populations of Española.
  • To recognise the need for continued conservation.

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