 In May 2010, 39 sterilised tortoises of hybrid origin were introduced to Pinta Island, the first tortoises there since the evacuation of Lonesome George 38 years before.Sterile tortoises were released so the problem of interbreeding between species would be avoided if any fertile tortoises were to be released in the future.It is hoped that with the recent identification of a hybrid "C. abingdonii" tortoise, the approximate genetic constitution of the original inhabitants of Pinta may eventually be restored with the identification and relocation of appropriate specimens to this island.