Diego, the Galápagos Giant Tortoise - (Another Extraordinary Animal) by Darcy Pattison & Amanda Zimmerman

About the Book

Tale of a Galápagos giant tortoise species that was almost extinct, the herculean task of conservation work by scientists and volunteers, and a tale of hope.

Book Synopsis

Starred Kirkus Review: "This well-crafted success story of a species' salvation will encourage budding environmentalists."

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.

Bird. Mammal. Marine Mammal. Spider. Amphibian. Reptile. Mollusk.

This series includes the story of the oldest bird in the world, a spider in space, an orphaned puma cub, a bullfrog with a world-record leap, the poignant story of saving a species from extinction, the dolphin who inspired a government to protect him, and a humble snail who teaches us to observe.

The series is much more than just an introduction to the animal kingdom. It chronicles the story of how humans interact with animals in various ways: how we enjoy, challenge, admire, endanger, and save them. It's a fabulous series for kids to learn about the amazing and extraordinary complexity of animals.

• • Wisdom, the Midway Albatross: Surviving the Japanese Tsunami and Other Disasters for Over 60 Years, Starred Publisher's Weekly review
  • Abayomi, the Brazilian Puma: The True Story of an Orphaned Cub, NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book
  • Nefertiti, the Spidernaut: The Jumping Spider Who Learned to Hunt in Space, NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book
  • Rosie the Ribeter: The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
  • Diego, the Giant Galapagos Tortoise: Saving a Species from Extinction, Starred Kirkus Review
  • Pelorus Jack, the New Zealand Dolphin: Inspiring a Government to Protect an Individual Animal
  • Jeremy, the English Garden Snail: Heredity, Science, and #snaillove,

Review Quotes

Starred Kirkus Review: "This well-crafted success story of a species' salvation will encourage budding environmentalists."