Since the very sad death of Lonesome Geroge, Diego is the new tortoise who has taken centre stage on the Galapagos islands.

Unlike George who could not reproduce, Diego is one rampant tortoise who has been described as "prolific" and "bossy".

Washington Tapia, chief of the Galapagos National Park's conservation programme said: "In 1977, this male arrived at the centre, we have had him ever since, he's one of the most active males and because he came from the San Diego Zoo, many people started to call him Diego."

It is estimated that Diego is the father of 40 to 45 percent of the 1,781 tortoises born in the breeding programme.

Diego is nearly three feet (90 centimetres) long, weighs 176 pounds (80 kilograms), and has a black saddleback shell.