2/17/12 Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is the second largest island of the Galapagos Islands. The largest human population is on Santa Cruz. There are at least 18.000 people living on this island. It is very difficult to become a resident of this island because the government is trying to limit additional immigrants to the island due to the human effects on the ecosystem. We continued our visit to the Galapagos National Park and walked to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Scientists carry out a giant tortoise breeding program among other conservation efforts for the island's unique species of all life.

Prick;y Pear Tree (note the bark)

We initially walked and came to where small tortoises are being nurtured, followed by older and older ones. Eventually they will be reintroduced to their island of origin.

Lonesome George

Next we saw Lonesome George who is the last tortoise of his island of Pinta. This tortoise is a separate species from other islands. Most have unique species of tortoises (as well as Lizards and some birds.) He is a living example of extinction before our eyes. Here is Lonesome George.

Lonesome George

Diego

The next species we saw was those of the Espanola Island. When found there were 12 females and 2 males (young) and these were the only of their species left. They were together at the the time and brought to the Charles Darwin Research Center and for several years didn't breed. After scouring the world, a tortoise was found who was a very good genetic match at the San Diego Zoo. Diego (as he became to be known) was brought to the Research Center and immediately there was mating going on and young tortoises being brought into the world! The young males got an education from Diego and are now mating as well. Soon some of the tortoises are reintroduced to Espanola Island. Here is Diego.

Diego

Passion Flower

We then walked to the center of Puerto Ayora to meet up with the group. We saw a manual way to extract juice/sugar from a stalk of sugar cane.

Sugar Cane Processed

We went by bus to a farmer's restaurant and farm. On the property is a lava tube which some of the group went through. It was quite long. We sat this out but did get a picture of the entrance. Next we had a great lunch at this location and Diane is shown "riding a tortoise" as Darwin did. (But she is on the leftover shell, not a real animal...)

Lava Tube Entrance

Diane

 
Some people went to the Highlands in the pouring rain but at 2:30 PM.  We, along with about half of the group went back to town or the ship.  In the evening we were treated to a music program which will be described in a separate post along with other special programs.

In all, it was a fascinating day, with concern for extinction and hope for the giant tortoise breeding program!