Rare turtles were first born after more than 100 years

For the first time in more than 100 years, researchers have found newly hatched turtles naturally on the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

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"We found 10 freshly hatched turtles early last month," researchers reported in the Nature journal on January 15. In the picture is a rare Galapagos turtle. This is the largest turtle in the world today. Adults can weigh more than 400 kg and are longer than 1.8 m, natural lifespan is over 100 years.

"There may be more children. The size is small and the way they disguise makes it difficult to detect. Our findings show that this giant turtle is once again able to regenerate in nature." In the picture is a newly hatched turtle.

Hunters of whales and rats following fishing vessels to the Galapagos Islands in the 17th and 18th centuries slaughtered this turtle. According to Galapagos Conservancy, over a century ago, mice - terrifying invasive rodents constantly hunt for young turtles.

After more than 50 years of conservation efforts, including raising young children in captivity until they are large enough to be released without becoming a good prey for rats, as well as enhancing harmful rodent eradication. This rare and precious species of Galapagos has returned to life.

In 2012, the island was finally announced without mice.

"The newly hatched turtles are proof that the campaign to eradicate rats in Pizon has a positive impact," said James Gibbs, a professor at the New York University of Science and Environment.

Since the Galapagos National Park was established in 1959, the number of turtles has increased again, from 100-200 to over 500 according to current estimates.