Today was a great day, one that everyone enjoyed. We spent the afternoon in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and saw many different types of birds, including Darwin's finches. But the most beautiful creatures we saw today were the giant tortoises in the wild. Imagine, these reptiles share their lands with human beings without apparent concern. I sat for a long time watching the tortoises, observing how people tried to communicate with them, first trying with soft words, and then moving onto strange sounds, but never hearing a response. No sound came out of their mouths, but one awoke and gave a very loud and hard blow, scaring the person in front of him. In a couple of months we won't see them here until next year. Then, we'll see the tortoises once again in the same area, sharing their space and territory with us. Why can't we share all we have with them?
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 17 Nov 1999
From the Polaris in the Galapagos, 11/17/1999, National Geographic Polaris
- Aboard the National Geographic Polaris
- Galápagos
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