Stretch Casper

A Giant Galapagos Tortoise , whose legendary libido has been credited with saving his species from extinction is officially retired.

Diego and 14 other male turtles are returned to their home, Española, One in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands .

The animals were in the pasture on Monday after decades of breeding in captivity on The Island of Santa Cruz .

The Breeding program was a success, the production of More Than 2,000 Giant tortoises since it began in the 1960s.

Diego , at the age of 100, thought begat hundreds of offspring, which is about 40% of the 2000 Giant tortoises living today, according to some estimates.

Ecuador 's environment Minister, Paulo Proaño Andrade, said The Breeding was "closing an important Chapter" in the story.

Diego and The Other turtles were back home, "saving the species from extinction," the minister wrote on Twitter, adding, Española, they welcomed "with open arms".

The animals had to be quarantined before they could return, on Española island, an uninhabited island, is considered One of the oldest parts of the Galápagos.

This Was to prevent carry seeds of plants not Native to The Island .

About 50 Years ago, there were only two males and 12 females, of Diego living species on Española.

To save his species Chelonoidis hoodensis, Diego was the San Diego Zoo in a breeding program.

The Galápagos National Park service (PNG) believes that Diego was from his homeland on Española in the early 20Th Century by a scientific expedition.

The turtle weighs about 80kg (175lb), is almost 90cm (35in) long and 1. 5m (5ft) high at full Stretch .

The Galápagos Islands , 906km (563 mi) West of continental Ecuador , are a Unesco world heritage site, worldwide known for its unique range of plants and animals.

The Native species on the Galapagos, including iguanas and turtles, played an important role in the development of Charles Darwin 's theory of Evolution.

the tourists all over the world travel there to see its diversity of species.

Source of news: bbc.com