After 180 years of absence, giant tortoises have returned to Floreana Island to build an ecosystem that can welcome back more endangered species, including mockingbirds, snakes, finches, and seabirds.
It just proves that we do know how to protect biodiversity, we just have to invest the time and resources to figure out what needs to be done and then do it.
The big surprise for me, is that a Galapagos island, one of the most prominent and oldest World Heritage sites, lost its giant tortoises in the first place! My impression was that this place, where Charles Darwin first birthed the modern theory of evolution, was being more strictly protected than almost any place on earth - not least because it is a jewel in the crown of Ecuador's tourist industry.
Thank you Madam Royal for dispelling my misapprehensions. Dr.Doolittle is turning in his fictional grave!
Thanks for the hopeful news. The Galapagos Islands, an amazing cauldron of evolution, are still on my bucket list, but I am equally content to live vicariously through the photos and adventure tales of others if it never materializes. In the meantime, I will look forward to hearing stories of the new returnees successfully reproducing in ca. 15 years.
We discussed the possibility of a visit during dinner the other night. My 13-year-old daughter did not like the idea of iguanas, though I find them quite cute.
“158 reasons for hope,”
🧡
Yep!
Great to hear about another conservation success!
It just proves that we do know how to protect biodiversity, we just have to invest the time and resources to figure out what needs to be done and then do it.
Agree 100%
The big surprise for me, is that a Galapagos island, one of the most prominent and oldest World Heritage sites, lost its giant tortoises in the first place! My impression was that this place, where Charles Darwin first birthed the modern theory of evolution, was being more strictly protected than almost any place on earth - not least because it is a jewel in the crown of Ecuador's tourist industry.
Thank you Madam Royal for dispelling my misapprehensions. Dr.Doolittle is turning in his fictional grave!
I should say, Dr. Doolittle would no doubt be pleased with this particular column!
To be fair, they only disappeared from this island and a few others, while surviving on some of the main islands.
Thanks for the hopeful news. The Galapagos Islands, an amazing cauldron of evolution, are still on my bucket list, but I am equally content to live vicariously through the photos and adventure tales of others if it never materializes. In the meantime, I will look forward to hearing stories of the new returnees successfully reproducing in ca. 15 years.
Love the image of a cauldron.
We discussed the possibility of a visit during dinner the other night. My 13-year-old daughter did not like the idea of iguanas, though I find them quite cute.
Hasn’t Ecuador just elected a right-wing nut job to president who doesn’t care about the environment?