Santa Cruz Island
The first rays of light on this brand new day were warm and colorful. We arrived early this morning at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. While I was observing the beautiful sunrise from the upper deck I had the feeling that this day would be a wonderful one. All the wonderful sightings and the large array of feelings today provoked proved that I was not wrong, this day was spectacular.
Our main goal today was the conservation of the Galápagos Islands. Santa Cruz is the base for two main institutions that work as partners in the preservation of one of the ultimate paradises on earth. The Galápagos National Park Service (GNPS) which is a governmental organization and the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) both established in 1959. The latter institutions work hand to hand in order to incubate, reproduce, repatriate and ultimately save from extinction the Galápagos Giant tortoises.
After watching the many juvenile little tortoises that are the future adults that will repopulate the islands with their descendants, we went to see the famous Lonesome George from Pinta Island. He is, unfortunately, the last known individual from that island; this morning he was observed sunbathing next to his two female companions. We also learned from our Naturalists about the successful story of the tortoises from Española Island. On this island there were only fourteen survival tortoises in the wild, from them only two were males who did not have much interest in the females. One male giant tortoise that was living in the San Diego Zoo in California for more than forty years was determined to be an Española Island individual. Diego came back, created competition and become the proud father of hundreds of little tortoises. He became a true celebrity as well. An animal who helped save his own species, how cool is that?
After exploring the Research Station we headed towards town to enjoy and take part in the routinely activities of the community. At around noon we went by bus to the highlands looking for Galápagos giant tortoises in the wild. Before lunch we crossed a lava tunnel that ends conveniently at the entrance of a paradisiacal restaurant where we had our lunch. A soft refreshing drizzle, known locally as “garua” was our companion for a short time. We had a great time photographing and observing several gentle giants that are the most primitive and at the same time the most fascinating looking creatures one can cross paths with. Some of the gargantuan reptiles were wallowing in the mud, others were curiously observing us walking by and then disappearing with a brief but loud hissing sound in their shells. In the evening, once onboard, visiting dancers and musicians put a golden finale to this day in paradise.
