We started our day exploring Santa Cruz. In the morning we visited the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoises corrals. During this visit we had the opportunity to learn about the different strategies of the conservation work carried out by this institution in the fields of biological research.
The highlights of this place are the Galápagos giant tortoises. These large gentle reptiles have made a great comeback since conservation work started. Some of them are tiny babies born here at the breeding center as part of the restoration programs carried out by the Galapagos National Park Service, and eventually all of these little creatures will be repatriated to their home islands such as Santiago, Pinzon, and Española.
After visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station we took a bus ride to the cool misty highlands of Santa Cruz for lunch and more exploration. Here, we had the opportunity to walk through a lava tube. This is a typical type of formation due to the volcanic origin of this archipelago.
We explored the forest and grasslands under a tropical rain. This region is green throughout the year and it is home for many of the endemic species that inhabit the Galapagos. As we explored the forest and grasslands we spotted several types of Darwin’s finches, mocking birds, pintail ducks, and giant tortoises.
The landscape is dotted with these giant reptiles you can see them by the dozens!
