--- title: "Giant Tortoise, Thought to Be Totally Extinct, Suddenly Found Chilling on Island" description: "Behold Fernanda, who, through genetic sequencing, has been confirmed as the only known Fernandina Giant Tortoise in the world." date: "2022-06-14" modified: "2022-06-14" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/giant-tortoise-extinct-chilling-island" categories: - "Science & Energy" tags: - "extinction" - "genetics" - "ocean" - "the digest" --- # Giant Tortoise, Thought to Be Totally Extinct, Suddenly Found Chilling on Island ![Behold Fernanda, who, through genetic sequencing, has been confirmed as the only known Fernandina Giant Tortoise in the world.]() *\Image: Galapagos Conservancy\* ## Franz Fernanda Behold Fernanda, who, through genetic sequencing, has been confirmed as the only known tortoise of her kind. The Fernandina Giant Tortoise (*chelonoidis phantasticus*) was — or, now, once again is — native to the eponymous Fernandina, an active volcano isle located in the Western Galápagos. Also known whimsically as the "fantastic giant tortoise," the species was believed to be extinct for over a century, a loss that scientists attributed to centuries of volcanic eruptions. That is, until 2017, when Galápagos national park rangers found a surprising sign of hope for the species: traces of the reptile's dung. Fernanda was discovered two years later by a team of researchers from the Galápagos Conservancy's [Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative]() (GTRI). While the discovery was intriguing, the researchers couldn't be totally sure that Fern — as she's been affectionately dubbed — was the slow-moving, unbothered reptile they'd dreamed of finding. The last known Fernandina Giant Tortoise, a single male, was collected from the island in 1906; Fernanda was significantly smaller than this specimen and lacked its distinctive ["saddlebag" shaped shell](). So, to authenticate their lineage, the researchers turned to genetics. ## Conservation Icon DNA from each tortoise — a sample of Fernanda's blood and a piece of the unnamed male's bone — were shipped to Princeton University, which scientists were able to sequence genetically and compare. The findings, newly [published in the journal *Communications Biology*](), verified that our herpetological heroine is, in fact, a Fernandina Giant Tortoise. "We simultaneously were able to show the connection between Fernanda and the other Fernandina tortoise, and also the distinctiveness of those two tortoises from species that we see on other islands," Stephen Gaughran, a Princeton University researcher and co-author of the paper, [told *New Scientist*](). "I was surprised, and then once it sank in, I was really excited about it." According to *New Scientist,* Gaughran is hopeful that there are more fantastic giant turtles hanging out on the island. Fernandina is a difficult terrain to explore, but if scientists can locate a male, there's hope for the species — Fern is likely about 50 years old, and scientists believe she'll live until 200. In human years, this legend is only in her twenties. The discovery is heartening at a time when all sea life — and all wildlife everywhere, really — is suffering the [devastating consequences of unchecked human development](). Fernanda is a symbol of hope for conservation efforts around the world — which are needed now more than ever. **More on rare sea life discoveries:** [*Scientists Discover World's Largest Organism, Chilling Out Under Ocean*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()