Wonderful news.

While on an expedition in the Galápagos Islands, conservationists made several incredible discoveries — including finding descendants of a tortoise species believed to be extinct. In 2012, a tortoise named Lonesome George, estimated to be 100 years old, died. He was the last known member of the Chelonoidis abingdonii subspecies, which inhabited Pinta Island. On a recent journey around the Galápagos Islands, researchers from Galapagos Conservancy found a female tortoise at Isabela Island's Wolf Volcano who is a partial relative of Lonesome George. This is "a story of hope," Galapagos Conservancy President Johannah Barry told NBC News. Humans have moved tortoises from different islands, and there could be additional hybrid tortoises with Pinta Island lineage in other areas of the Galápagos. The researchers also found 18 additional females and 11 male tortoises from Wolf Volcano that are partially related to another species from Floreana Island thought to be extinct. They are now being evaluated at a breeding center. [NBC News]