Santa Cruz Island
The Galápagos giant tortoises are emblematic species in this archipelago. Therefore conservation work is vital in order to ensure the preservation of these reptiles for generations yet unborn.
Santa Cruz Island is home to the Galápagos National Park headquarters and the Charles Darwin Research Station. These institutions are committed to protecting the ecosystems and at the same time carrying out scientific research in order to understand the value of each species of plant and animal.
In the morning we explored the Darwin Research Station. Here we found our first giant tortoises. They come from different islands and all of them are part of a captive breeding program that started more than 40 years ago. The breeding program has proved to be successful; over the years entire populations of tortoise have been restored.
Late in the morning we headed to the highlands in order to have another visit with tortoises and lunch at a highland restaurant. This area on Santa Cruz is over 600 feet above sea level, and the weather is different. It is more humid and the forest remains green throughout the year.
The lush forest and the green grass are the right conditions for giant tortoises. Here, we explored the forest and a lava tube; later, as we explored forest and grassland, we had encounters with giant tortoises. It seems their lives are unhurried. They walk a few yards and then they stop for a meal and then they continue and stop again for another meal.
What a great day on Santa Cruz!
