Age-defying giant Galapagos tortoise fathers EIGHT endangered baby reptiles at 70 years old

A 70-year-old giant tortoise in ‘top condition’ has fathered as many as eight baby Galapagos giant tortoises.

Dirk, named after porn star Dirk Diggler of Boogie Nights, mated with three females with whom he shares a pen at Crocodiles of the World in Oxfordshire.

In March, it was revealed that two baby turtles had hatched from eggs laid by 21-year-old female Charlie.

That was the first time a British zoo had successfully bred a Galapagos giant tortoise. Dirk then mated with female tortoise Isabella who laid four eggs that hatched in July.

The arrival of eight babies at Crocodiles of the World in Brize Norton is a huge boost to the conservation status of the giant Galapogos tortoise, an endangered species

Charlie then laid two more eggs fertilized by Dirk, who are said to be in top condition, and these have recently hatched.

The arrival of the eight babies at Crocodiles of the World in Brize Norton is a huge boost to the conservation status of the giant Galapogos tortoise, an endangered species.

There are now about 15,000 individuals left in the world, compared to 200,000 in the 19th century.

Shaun Foggett, founder and director of Crocodiles of the World, said: “The first two cubs were from Charlie in March, then four came from Isabella in July, and we just had two more from Charlie’s eggs.

There are now about 15,000 individuals left in the world, compared to 200,000 in the 19th century

‘There’s nothing from Zuzu yet, but they’ve only started laying eggs in the last year and a half.

“We’re pretty sure they’re all females, but this hasn’t been confirmed yet.

‘To monitor their growth and general well-being, the babies are kept separate from the adult turtles.

“It’s a big problem that for a decade or more, only one collection of giant Galapagos tortoises in Europe was able to breed the species.

‘In any case, it shows that Dirk is a potentially very important turtle within European zoos.

Galapagos giant tortoises are known for their long necks and are synonymous with Charles Darwin who discovered the theory of evolution by studying them

“The biggest boost right now is the fact that we’re sharing the knowledge we can gain from incubating the eggs to raising the young.

‘This provides more experience and knowledge about the whole process of breeding the species in a zoo environment.

“The timing of mating, breeding, adult behavior, any diet and supplement we’ve found helpful or important will also be part of this body of knowledge we’re amassing about breeding the species.”

“This is all vital information, and can be written down and processed with existing knowledge and practices of the islands themselves.

“Our current plan is to keep the babies here at the zoo for the foreseeable future so that we can continue to monitor their growth and condition as they grow.

The great British naturalist realized that the huge creatures adapted their physical form to their environment and that their outstretched necks were meant to reach the high vegetation in the Galapagos

“It’s such a unique opportunity to learn and contribute to the future of the species.

‘Dirk doesn’t seem to need any rest and continues to live with the females.’

The eight baby turtles may be small now, but as adults they will grow to be 30 bricks each.

Galapagos giant tortoises are known for their long necks and are synonymous with Charles Darwin who discovered the theory of evolution by studying them.

The great British naturalist realized that the huge creatures adapted their physical form to their environment and that their outstretched necks were intended to reach the high vegetation in the Galapagos.

Crocodiles of the World also supports the Galapagos Conservation Trust, which conducts research to shape future conservation strategies for the species and protect their future in the Galapagos Islands.

Dirk originally came to Britain after being captured from the wild in the Galapagos Islands in 1962.

Galapagos giant tortoises – Chelonoidis niger in Latin – are the largest tortoise species in the world; they can grow up to 6 feet tall and 900 pounds in weight and mate year round.