Santa Cruz Island
The giant tortoises of the Galápagos Islands are the most emblematic animal species of this fabulous archipelago. Throughout the whole day we had the privilege to be part of their world. In the morning we observed them in the world-renowned Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS). This international institution has worked very hard for many years providing scientific advice for the sake of these majestic reptiles. Two individual giant tortoises are real stars in the CDRS. Lonesome George, the last known tortoise from Pinta Island is one of them. This rare animal was found in 1971 and unfortunately is the last surviving one of the race of Pinta Island. Second to George is Diego, a tortoise found in the San Diego Zoological Society that constituted the tortoise number fifteen in the once struggling Española tortoise race. Since Diego’s arrival, the program of incubation and the posterior repatriation of Española giant tortoise rocketed in great success. To date it is estimated that more than 1,400 tortoises have been repatriated successfully to Española Island, a triumph for conservation. In the afternoon, we had the joy to observe the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. In a nutshell, the day has been dedicated almost entirely to admire the giant tortoises of the Galápagos. I sincerely feel proud to write to you these short paragraphs, with them I just want to prove my sincere love for these reptiles and the admiration for the fantastic efforts made to conserve them.
The giant tortoises of the Galápagos Islands are the most emblematic animal species of this fabulous archipelago. Throughout the whole day we had the privilege to be part of their world. In the morning we observed them in the world-renowned Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS). This international institution has worked very hard for many years providing scientific advice for the sake of these majestic reptiles. Two individual giant tortoises are real stars in the CDRS. Lonesome George, the last known tortoise from Pinta Island is one of them. This rare animal was found in 1971 and unfortunately is the last surviving one of the race of Pinta Island. Second to George is Diego, a tortoise found in the San Diego Zoological Society that constituted the tortoise number fifteen in the once struggling Española tortoise race. Since Diego’s arrival, the program of incubation and the posterior repatriation of Española giant tortoise rocketed in great success. To date it is estimated that more than 1,400 tortoises have been repatriated successfully to Española Island, a triumph for conservation. In the afternoon, we had the joy to observe the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. In a nutshell, the day has been dedicated almost entirely to admire the giant tortoises of the Galápagos. I sincerely feel proud to write to you these short paragraphs, with them I just want to prove my sincere love for these reptiles and the admiration for the fantastic efforts made to conserve them.
