Santa Cruz Island
The Galápagos giant tortoises represent for us Ecuadorians an inimitable and authentic symbol of our country. These prehistoric-looking reptiles that inhabit this paradisiacal location are so famous that they are the namesake to the archipelago. In one way or another, these gigantic reptiles have put not only the Galápagos Islands but also my country on the map. The recent history of these giants is unfortunately not a very appealing one. We will never know how many thousands of them were taken away from the islands to be used as food or were removed by the passing by early visitors. In the last centuries the Galápagos Islands did not have any kind of protection, they were considered no-man’s land. A second dreadful fact, giant tortoises can survive for up to two years without eating or drinking. The tortoises were transported alive in the ships of buccaneers, pirates, whalers, sealers, etc. as an amazing alternative source of food. In those times refrigeration was still far from being invented. Sadly the tortoises became a popular and copious food that was exploited without mercy. Winds of positive changes have been blowing to the giant tortoises in Galápagos for they are living a golden age. Their populations are not being destroyed anymore; we are helping to restore their lost dynasty little by little. In the morning during our visit the Charles Darwin Research Station we observed the extraordinary efforts that are being made to save the giant tortoises.
In the afternoon we had the thrill to observe them in their natural habitat. While watching the giant tortoises in the wild, I could not help but having an extraordinary mix of feelings. It is so rewarding to observe them carrying their lives just as they have been doing for millions of years. To top the day off we had a marvelous encounter, a vermillion flycatcher, a genuine little red jewel on top of a giant tortoise, and then later a cattle egret was photographed using a similar perch for a while. The sighting of these painteresque scenes printed in our minds hope and love for the environment. At the same time gave us the required inspiration to dream on a brighter future for the giants of the Galápagos.
The Galápagos giant tortoises represent for us Ecuadorians an inimitable and authentic symbol of our country. These prehistoric-looking reptiles that inhabit this paradisiacal location are so famous that they are the namesake to the archipelago. In one way or another, these gigantic reptiles have put not only the Galápagos Islands but also my country on the map. The recent history of these giants is unfortunately not a very appealing one. We will never know how many thousands of them were taken away from the islands to be used as food or were removed by the passing by early visitors. In the last centuries the Galápagos Islands did not have any kind of protection, they were considered no-man’s land. A second dreadful fact, giant tortoises can survive for up to two years without eating or drinking. The tortoises were transported alive in the ships of buccaneers, pirates, whalers, sealers, etc. as an amazing alternative source of food. In those times refrigeration was still far from being invented. Sadly the tortoises became a popular and copious food that was exploited without mercy. Winds of positive changes have been blowing to the giant tortoises in Galápagos for they are living a golden age. Their populations are not being destroyed anymore; we are helping to restore their lost dynasty little by little. In the morning during our visit the Charles Darwin Research Station we observed the extraordinary efforts that are being made to save the giant tortoises.
In the afternoon we had the thrill to observe them in their natural habitat. While watching the giant tortoises in the wild, I could not help but having an extraordinary mix of feelings. It is so rewarding to observe them carrying their lives just as they have been doing for millions of years. To top the day off we had a marvelous encounter, a vermillion flycatcher, a genuine little red jewel on top of a giant tortoise, and then later a cattle egret was photographed using a similar perch for a while. The sighting of these painteresque scenes printed in our minds hope and love for the environment. At the same time gave us the required inspiration to dream on a brighter future for the giants of the Galápagos.
