Diego, the Galápagos Giant Tortoise (Saving a Species from Extinction)

"This well-crafted success story of a species' salvation will encourage budding environmentalists." Starred Kirkus
2022 Eureka! Nonfictrion Honor Book

Can humans save a species from extinction? Yes! With patience, persistence, and a full dose of hope.

This is the heartbreaking tale of a Galápagos giant tortoise species that was almost extinct, the herculean task of conservation work by scientists and volunteers, and a heartwarming tale of hope for our planet.

In 1959, Ecuador established a national park to protect the Galápagos Islands. When they did a census, scientists found only 14 individual Española Island tortoises. The species was almost extinct.

Then, they found one more Española tortoise—in the San Diego Zoo!

They named him Diego and brought him back to the Galápagos for a breeding program.

Ecuador established one of the most successful breeding programs in scientific history. For sixty years, scientists and hundreds of volunteers have fought valiantly to save this amazing giant tortoise species. Would it be enough? Would they be able to save the species? Read the amazing story of Diego, the giant Galápagos tortoise.

This is the fifth book in a picture book series, Another Extraordinary Animal, which includes a bird, mammal, spider, amphibian, and reptile. Back matter for this book contains information about Diego, his species, the Galápagos Islands, and more.

ANOTHER EXTRAORDINARY ANIMAL Series

Explore the animal kingdom with these biographies of a bird, puma, spider, reptile, and amphibian.

• Book 1: Wisdom, the Midway Albatross - Starred PW review
• Book 2: Abayomi, the Brazilian Puma - NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book
• Book 3: Nefertiti, the Spidernaut - NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book
• Book 4: Rosie, the Ribeter
• Book 5: Diego, the Galapagos Giant Tortoise