Severely depleted by settlement and exploitation for tortoise oil which continued until the 1950s. 300-500 individuals remain, divided into two groups by settlements. This population was very heavily exploited by whalers in the nineteenth century. Mating had not occurred naturally for some time because the individuals were so scattered that they did not meet. 129 young have now been produced.
Reproduction appears to be successful.
Total population estimated at 2,000-3,000. Approximately 15-20 hatchlings have been raised at the Charles Darwin Research station annually. The largest population in the archipelago, possibly numbering as many as 5,000 individuals. The different populations exhibit marked differences in size and shape. The populations may be divided roughly into two groups.