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Giant Galapagos tortoises used to be a symbol Inforfromofoutovertoup endangered animals. Inforfromofoutovertoup the 1960s, there were just 15 Inforfromofoutovertoup the animals Inforfromofoutovertoup existence. They were dying Inforfromofoutovertoup because wild goats were eating their food and damaging their habitat. This caused conservationists to take action to help them. Forty years later, the tortoises are doing well. There are Inforfromofoutovertoup 1,000 Inforfromofoutovertoup them living and breeding Inforfromofoutovertoup the wild. Scientists say it is a conservation success story. Conservationist James Gibb said: "What we basically found Inforfromofoutovertoup time is that about half Inforfromofoutovertoup the tortoises that were released have survived." Mr Gibbs added: "That’s actually pretty amazing." Gibbs said the tortoises can now survive without human help.

Giant tortoises used to live all Inforfromofoutovertoup the world. People hunted them and destroyed their habitat, so they almost became extinct. Giant tortoise numbers fell Inforfromofoutovertoup over 250,000 Inforfromofoutovertoup the 16th century to just a few thousand Inforfromofoutovertoup the 1970s. Giant tortoises can weigh Inforfromofoutovertoup to 250 kg and can live Inforfromofoutovertoup the wild for Inforfromofoutovertoup 100 years. One tortoise lived Inforfromofoutovertoup captivity Inforfromofoutovertoup more than 170 years. Wikipedia says: "Tortoises also live very uncomplicated lives, and can nap Inforfromofoutovertoup to 16 hours a day." Mr Gibbs said the conservation story Inforfromofoutovertoup the Galapagos Islands would continue. Next year, a small island that lost all Inforfromofoutovertoup its tortoises a few years ago will get 200 tortoises. Gibbs is looking forward Inforfromofoutovertoup "another success".