Today we visited the Charles Darwin Research Station and National Park offices, to learn about all the different conservation projects that take place in the Galapagos. One of the most important projects is the breeding program for giant tortoises, and we learned about the important efforts put forth by these two institutions to bring back the populations of tortoises, which were dwindling due to destruction caused by introduced species, like goats and rats. We also learned about initiatives to protect the populations of opuntia cactuses on Plazas Island, the population of scalesia pedunculata around the Twin Craters in the highlands of Santa Cruz island, and others.
We were able to spend some time exploring the town of Puerto Ayora, to get a taste of local culture, before we headed up to the highlands to visit a sugar cane mill. The owner showed us their techniques for extracting sugar cane juice and transforming it into “panela” or raw sugar, and also the traditional way to toast coffee beans.
After an amazing lunch at a very interesting restaurant in the highlands, we went to giant tortoises’ territory, hoping to find some of these amazing animals in the wild. It was an incredible experience, to be able to approach these giant creatures, who were not afraid of us. We learned how to recognize young tortoise from an adult, by looking at their size and the texture of their carapaces, and also to differentiate males from females. We walked through an amazing forest that always reminds me of a movie that I saw when I was a child, called The Never Ending Story, when Atreyu was looking for the last giant tortoise, called Morla.
After spending several hours with these incredible giants, we returned to the National Geographic Endeavour, reflecting on this magical day on Santa Cruz Island.
With this experience we create memories that will last forever.
