Santa Cruz Island
Puerto Ayora is a small town located in the southern part of Santa Cruz Island; it is also where the Charles Darwin Research Station has been working, along with the Galápagos National Park, in the restoration of the Galápagos giant tortoise population, the symbol of conservation in the archipelago. One of the most visited corrals is the one that has "Dieguito” in it: a saddle back-shape tortoise collected during the thirties from the island of Española. He was found in the San Diego Zoo facilities and sent back to Galápagos during the mid-seventies. At that time, unfortunately, he became part of the last survivors from that specific species of tortoise: twelve females and two males were during those days the entire population! Nowadays, Diego is everyone’s hero! At the age of (approximately) one hundred years, he is stronger than other tortoises his age and has contributed tremendously to repopulate the island of Española. His help has translated to over four hundred babies sent back to their original island, becoming one of the most successful repatriation programs done by the Darwin Station Center.
Later on in the day, we explored fully the town of Puerto Ayora; searching for handicrafts and souvenirs, we gladly supported the local economy. We then had a delightful lunch in a restaurant at one of the local farms in the highlands of Santa Cruz. After a satisfying meal, we were once again ready to take off, this time to seek giant tortoises in the wild. Once we reached their land, we all had a great view of these reptiles in their natural environment.
Back on board we received a guest speaker from the Charles Darwin Foundation explaining more in detail several programs developed in the islands and several “just out of the oven” news items. Our evening had a denoument of great closure with a visit by local musicians on board, who delighted us with their traditional folklore and typical dances.
Puerto Ayora is a small town located in the southern part of Santa Cruz Island; it is also where the Charles Darwin Research Station has been working, along with the Galápagos National Park, in the restoration of the Galápagos giant tortoise population, the symbol of conservation in the archipelago. One of the most visited corrals is the one that has "Dieguito” in it: a saddle back-shape tortoise collected during the thirties from the island of Española. He was found in the San Diego Zoo facilities and sent back to Galápagos during the mid-seventies. At that time, unfortunately, he became part of the last survivors from that specific species of tortoise: twelve females and two males were during those days the entire population! Nowadays, Diego is everyone’s hero! At the age of (approximately) one hundred years, he is stronger than other tortoises his age and has contributed tremendously to repopulate the island of Española. His help has translated to over four hundred babies sent back to their original island, becoming one of the most successful repatriation programs done by the Darwin Station Center.
Later on in the day, we explored fully the town of Puerto Ayora; searching for handicrafts and souvenirs, we gladly supported the local economy. We then had a delightful lunch in a restaurant at one of the local farms in the highlands of Santa Cruz. After a satisfying meal, we were once again ready to take off, this time to seek giant tortoises in the wild. Once we reached their land, we all had a great view of these reptiles in their natural environment.
