The remains of the reptiles were found in a national park on the island of Isabela. Authorities suspect the turtles may have been hunted and eaten, according to a BBC News Brasil report.
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The park management filed a complaint about the death of the animals on July 7, the Ministry of the Environment informed via its communication channel on WhatsApp, when questioned by journalists.
Other cases
It's not the first time that happens. In September 2021, a ranger found the remains of 15 giant tortoises that lived in the region close to the Sierra Negra volcano, on the same island.
For many years, the meat of this turtle was considered a delicacy. However, today hunting is prohibited and anyone who breaks the law can face up to three years in prison.
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Estimates indicate that there are only 15 giant tortoises in the world. In the 19th century, there were more than 200 thousand.
Darwin and the giant tortoises
The species became known for being the source of inspiration for naturalist Charles Darwin to create the Theory of Evolution in 1859.
In the Galápagos, Darwin observed that on each island in the archipelago there was a different species of turtle. Only the size of the neck and the shape of the hooves changed from one island to another.
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At the time, the naturalist came to the conclusion that these differences were generated from the evolution of species. Each had to adapt to the environment found on the island in order to survive.
(With AFP)
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