Santa Cruz Island
We are halfway into our expedition around the Galápagos. This day found us on Santa Cruz Island which is one of the four inhabited islands of the archipelago. Santa Cruz Island it is also home to the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS). In this institution, scientists and researchers make huge efforts into restoring the Giant tortoise dynasty of the Galápagos.
Early in the morning we set off to visit the Research Station, where we learned about all the processes and methods used to rear tortoises in captivity. Along a walk through the CDRS we observed Galápagos tortoises of various ages. A true favorite tortoises’ age for all our visitors is when the tortoises are only babies! Adjacent corrals also allowed us to have close encounters with other morph types of tortoises, with fine examples of dome and saddle-backed Giant tortoises.
And of course, one could not leave the Research Station without stopping by Lonesome George’s corral. This famous individual is the last one its subspecies. Lonesome George comes from Pinta Island, located in the northern realms of the Galápagos. His story is not only singular but it is a hard lesson to learn about putting an animal species in peril of extinction.
After having lunch, we spent the rest of the day exploring the highlands of Santa Cruz. We were immersed in the search for Giant Tortoises in the wild. We all came back on board with a big smile in our faces after having had the great opportunity to dedicate a full day to the Giant tortoises of the Galápagos.
We are halfway into our expedition around the Galápagos. This day found us on Santa Cruz Island which is one of the four inhabited islands of the archipelago. Santa Cruz Island it is also home to the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS). In this institution, scientists and researchers make huge efforts into restoring the Giant tortoise dynasty of the Galápagos.
Early in the morning we set off to visit the Research Station, where we learned about all the processes and methods used to rear tortoises in captivity. Along a walk through the CDRS we observed Galápagos tortoises of various ages. A true favorite tortoises’ age for all our visitors is when the tortoises are only babies! Adjacent corrals also allowed us to have close encounters with other morph types of tortoises, with fine examples of dome and saddle-backed Giant tortoises.
And of course, one could not leave the Research Station without stopping by Lonesome George’s corral. This famous individual is the last one its subspecies. Lonesome George comes from Pinta Island, located in the northern realms of the Galápagos. His story is not only singular but it is a hard lesson to learn about putting an animal species in peril of extinction.
After having lunch, we spent the rest of the day exploring the highlands of Santa Cruz. We were immersed in the search for Giant Tortoises in the wild. We all came back on board with a big smile in our faces after having had the great opportunity to dedicate a full day to the Giant tortoises of the Galápagos.
