Zoller + Fröhlich GmbH

Giant tortoises return to Floreana Island in the Galapagos

The reintroduction of Galapagos giant tortoises to Floreana is progressing: In mid-February, 156 animals were released into the wild – more than 150 years after their disappearance from the island. This marks another important milestone for the long-term restoration project.

Under the leadership of the Galapagos National Park and with the support of international partners, including the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Radolfzell/ Konstanz, work has been underway for many years to restore Floreana's ecosystem. The goal is to establish a stable population and ensure the long-term ecological role of the tortoises.

A key component of the project is monitoring the animals. Using modern transmitters, movement and environmental data are recorded in real time and made available for research.

Zoller + Fröhlich GmbH is also making an important contribution:
The tracking systems used are based on cable connections with uninsulated Z+F ferrules, manufactured using the AM02.1 cable assembly machine.

More about the product: Modular stripper-crimper AM 02 C / AM 02.1C

Z+F supports the technical foundation for data collection and thus the sustainable protection of the animals. The current reintroduction project demonstrates that long-term, scientifically monitored rewilding projects can achieve measurable success – on Floreana and beyond.

The photo shows the Max Planck team with the tagged turtles on Floreana. From left: Prof. Martin Wikelski (Director at the MPI-AB and head of the project), Pia Zitzmann (Bachelor's student, University of Frankfurt), Uschi Müller (ICARUS project coordinator, MPI-AB)

Photo credit: Uschi Müller

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