The Meandering Melanders

After five days on board the Coral II we ended our time in the Galapagos by visiting the Island of Santa Cruz, city of Puerto Ayora with its Charles Darwin Research Center. Puerto Ayora is the principal port in the Islands.

Without a doubt, the main attraction in the Galapagos is the Giant Tortoises. We were very disappointed in that we thought we would see these things all over the Islands. Not true. They have lived a very rough life and needed care. Sailors came ashore in the old (and not so old) days and killed them for food and for their shells. Goats were brought to the islands as were dogs, and they escaped and became feral. The goats ate all the vegetation leaving nothing for the tortoises. The dogs attacked and killed the tortoises. In order to save the species, the Ecuadorian Government rounded them up, kept them separated by island, and put them into a protective environment at the Charles Darwin Research Center where they are kept separated by island and by type. They are breeding them and the young ones are being placed back onto the islands from which their parents came. Of course they are put in the “back country” where they are not seen by visitors. The pictures that follow were taken at the Research Center, most without telephoto lens. There is one habitation that can be entered with the only rules being don’t touch and stay off their stone feeding platform. These adults are all over 90 years old, most over 100, and weight over 200 pounds. Please excuse us if there appear to be too many of these magnificent creatures but which would you take out of the presentation?

This is Lonesome George, he is sort of the mascot for the Center and is a sad story. He is the only remaining tortoise of his breed and, when he dies, that breed will be lost forever.

These are some of the juveniles they are raising for release. Note the identification numbers painted on their shells.

The Center has also rescured land iguanas from an island on which they can no longer survive.

From Sana Cruz Island to Baltra Island where the airport is located is a very short ferry ride.

The airport was packed with people. We had no idea so many people could fit on one place. But they did.

With this, we left one of the most fascinating places we have ever visited, The Galapagos Islands. Hope you enjoyed them; we sure did. Next we will visit Ecuador and its capital city of Quito.