Some acquire greatness through intellect or unbridled creativity. But Diego the tortoise sexed his way into legend.
Image: Brad Perkins/Flickr
Diego, 100, is a rare breed of tortoise called Chelonoidis hoodensis. These animals are so rare that they only exist on one of the oldest islands in the Galápagos. In 1976, when Diego was living at the San Diego Zoo, scientists realised that this handsome hero in a half shell was actually one of the last remaining tortoises of the Chelonoidis hoodensis species. Diego then became the dominant male in a captive breeding program in the Galápagos.
Diego the Tortoise saves Galapagos species from extinction by fathering 800 offspring https://t.co/dmugt3GeKa pic.twitter.com/mPwUxcYh9i
— AFP news agency (@AFP) September 14, 2016
Over the decades, Diego has sired more than 800 offspring and effectively saved his entire species from extinction. For his efforts, he quickly became an internet celebrity, receiving the honorary title of “Fuck Tortoise”:
#lrt Fuck Tortoise for President
— ˢᵉᵛᵉʳᵃᶫ ʸᵉᵉʳᵏˢ (@zupzles) September 14, 2016
Bald eagle <<<< fuck tortoise https://t.co/r1U0AayRHY
— Brach E. Balboa (@yc) September 14, 2016
My first son’s middle name will be Diego in honor of the tortoise that saved his species.
— B. (@BG2MPH) September 14, 2016
Of over 2000 tortoises that now live on the island, and Diego is the father of 40 per cent of them. Experts expect that 5000 tortoises used to live on the island at one point. Sadly, three species of giant tortoise in the Galápagos have already gone extinct, with the latest species lost just four years ago. But thanks to Diego, Chelonoidis hoodensis hopefully won’t share a similar fate.
[AFP]