Prior to the arrival of humans in the 19th century, the population of tortoises on San Cristóbal Island was about 24,000. The decline began when Spanish sailors exploited them for food. Settlers also ate them while their farms destroyed nesting sites. But worse, early colonists introduced feral animals (cats, dogs, pigs and goats) plus rats. These pests destroyed eggs, killed hatchlings and competed for food. By the 1970s, the tortoise was on the brink of extinction on San Cristóbal Island with only 500 to 700 living in the wild. In response, Ecuador passed laws protecting the species in 1975. Then the Galápagos National Park created the La Galapaguera Tortoise Reserve. Their dedication has produced dramatic results. A 2016 census estimated there are now about 6,700 tortoises on the island. Although the San Cristóbal giant tortoise is still rated as endangered, the population is growing and is expected to make a full recovery.
