Giant tortoises, some living over 150 years, face threats from introduced predators and habitat loss, with remarkable conservation successes achieved through sustained intervention.
Giant tortoises are extraordinary animals whose very longevity creates unique welfare considerations - an individual tortoise suffering from habitat degradation may do so for over a century. Introduced species (goats, rats, cats) create chronic food competition and hatchling predation that reduces population-level welfare over generations. The Project Isabela goat removal - despite controversy over methods - restored habitat quality for living tortoises who experienced measurably better nutrition afterward. Individual welfare improvements accumulate across enormously long lifespans.