While the average lifespan of North America's largest and most rare tortoise species is unknown, biologists have said it could span upward of a century.
So saving the endangered species is a long game — one that got another nudge forward Friday as U.S. wildlife officials finalized an agreement with Ted Turner's Endangered Species Fund that clears the way for the release of more Bolson tortoises on the media mogul's ranch in central New Mexico.
