Diego, a giant Espanola tortoise, has sired over 800 offspring as a part of The Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative, led by the Galapagos National Park.

When the program started in 1965, there were only 15 of these tortoises left in the world and extinction was imminent. 

The breeding program has produced over 2,000 tortoises and mathematical models all conclude that Espanola island in the Galapagos can now support normal population growth. 

All 15 of the original breeding adults are headed to their home island this March. 

A well-deserved retirement.