Santa Cruz Island
This morning we left the ship to spend the day on the island of Santa Cruz. This island, one of the few inhabited in the Galápagos, is home of the largest town in the archipelago, Puerto Ayora, the Charles Darwin Research Station, and a population of wild Galápagos tortoises. The humidity and lush vegetation were noticeable differences from our previous excursions.
During our week here, we have witnessed the pristine nature of the islands, but today we were able to see some of the behind the scenes efforts made by researchers at the Charles Darwin Research Station to maintain the endemic species and restore some of those that have been impacted by human activity in the past. Lonesome George and Diego were there to greet us. These two famous tortoises represent some of the challenges and the successes that face the research staff. For over three decades, scientists have tried to find ways to help Lonesome George, the last of the giant tortoises of Pinta Island, to produce offspring. Super Diego, on the other hand is responsible for producing many offspring that have been repatriated to Española Island, as part of the captive breeding program, one of the research station’s great successes.
We traveled up into the highlands of Santa Cruz for lunch and time to relax by the pool and in the beautiful gardens of Altair, before venturing to see giant tortoises in the wild. Several dozen tortoises were moving around and foraging on the grassy hillside and under giant trees. We were able to freely explore the area and experience the tortoises at close range in their natural habitat.
The full day ended with a visit onboard from Roz Cameron from the Charles Darwin Research Station. She told us about issues facing the Galápagos Islands today, as well as current conservation efforts and hopes for the future of the islands. After dinner, local musicians and dancers performed for us.
This morning we left the ship to spend the day on the island of Santa Cruz. This island, one of the few inhabited in the Galápagos, is home of the largest town in the archipelago, Puerto Ayora, the Charles Darwin Research Station, and a population of wild Galápagos tortoises. The humidity and lush vegetation were noticeable differences from our previous excursions.
During our week here, we have witnessed the pristine nature of the islands, but today we were able to see some of the behind the scenes efforts made by researchers at the Charles Darwin Research Station to maintain the endemic species and restore some of those that have been impacted by human activity in the past. Lonesome George and Diego were there to greet us. These two famous tortoises represent some of the challenges and the successes that face the research staff. For over three decades, scientists have tried to find ways to help Lonesome George, the last of the giant tortoises of Pinta Island, to produce offspring. Super Diego, on the other hand is responsible for producing many offspring that have been repatriated to Española Island, as part of the captive breeding program, one of the research station’s great successes.
We traveled up into the highlands of Santa Cruz for lunch and time to relax by the pool and in the beautiful gardens of Altair, before venturing to see giant tortoises in the wild. Several dozen tortoises were moving around and foraging on the grassy hillside and under giant trees. We were able to freely explore the area and experience the tortoises at close range in their natural habitat.
The full day ended with a visit onboard from Roz Cameron from the Charles Darwin Research Station. She told us about issues facing the Galápagos Islands today, as well as current conservation efforts and hopes for the future of the islands. After dinner, local musicians and dancers performed for us.
