Santa Cruz Island

We all disembarked in raincoats this morning. On the Zodiac the garua soaked our clothes and our caps were soon covered by our jacket’s hood. Rain is worth being mentioned in the Galápagos, it’s a scarce and short last event. The sun soon had everyone peeling off their raincoats as we continued to make our way to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center and the weather changed to hot and humid. Finches were on their post rain duties and tortoises, awakened by the mist, became active.

Standing in their corral like erratic rocks polished by the time, those boulders suddenly took life and looked for green leaves in yesterday’s dinner remains. The adult tortoises exhibited at the Breeding Center are in captivity because they are too domesticated for release. On the other hand, in the highlands, their wild companions roam free in the green and lush extension of grass the farm we are visiting offers them. An artificial fresh water pound ensures their presence throughout the year. It is a delight to observe them as they quietly go about their own pace.

Essentially, none of those tortoises really inhabit their original natural environment. Human activity, together with introduced species, slaughtered their population and destroyed their habitat. We would not be able to see them on the islands today, if it were not for the constant commitment of the National Park Rangers. They eradicated the introduced species and successfully bred a new tortoise generation in captivity for the sake of conservation.