Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - May 2014 -
GAdventures Land Based Itinerary - Organized by Nancy Dorrans
https://www.gadventures.com/trips/land-galapagos-multi-activities/SEGL/2015/
179. Only 11 of the 14 original populations remained and most of these were
endangered if not already on the brink of extinction. The rearing program for
giant tortoises began in response to the conditions of the tortoise
population on Pinzón Island, where fewer than 200 old adults were found.
All of the hatchlings had apparently been killed by introduced rats for
perhaps more than a century. Without help, this population would
eventually disappear. The only thing saving it was the longevity of the
tortoise. The rearing program began in 1965, with the first transfer of
tortoise eggs from Pinzón to the new tortoise center on Santa Cruz. In 1970,
the first 20 tortoises were repatriated to Pinzón when they had reached an
age and a size (about 4-5 years) at which they were considered “rat proof.”
The situation on Española Island was even worse. Only 14 tortoises
remained (2 males and 12 females). These were all brought into captivity
and the breeding program was initiated. A third Española male was
returned to Galapagos in 1976 from the San Diego Zoo. An improvement in
nesting areas and incubation and rearing techniques over the years has
made this one of the most successful programs of the GNPS and the CDF. .
224. Consistent environmental differences in different
habitats on different islands in the Galapagos, as
well as the availability of different foods sources,
have produced more than a dozen distinct species
of finches, all unique to the archipelago
Quito - captial of Ecuador
elevation of 9,350 feet The historic center of Quito has one of the largest, least-altered and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas.[4] Quito, along with Kraków, were the first World Cultural Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO in 1978.[4] The central square of Quito is located about 25 kilometres (16 mi) South of the equator. Quito's closest volcano is Pichincha, looming over the western side of the city. Quito is also the only capital in the world to be directly menaced by an active volcano
Airport located about 11 miles east of city near Tumbaco. To get to the city, it is about an hour drive on numerous switches along a two lane road. For now.
San Cristobal Island
Only 11 of the 14 original populations remained and most of these were endangered if not already on the brink of extinction. The rearing program for giant tortoises began in response to the conditions of the tortoise population on Pinzón Island, where fewer than 200 old adults were found. All of the hatchlings had apparently been killed by introduced rats for perhaps more than a century. Without help, this population would eventually disappear. The only thing saving it was the longevity of the tortoise. The rearing program began in 1965, with the first transfer of tortoise eggs from Pinzón to the new tortoise center on Santa Cruz. In 1970, the first 20 tortoises were repatriated to Pinzón when they had reached an age and a size (about 4-5 years) at which they were considered “rat proof.”
The situation on Española Island was even worse. Only 14 tortoises remained (2 males and 12 females). These were all brought into captivity and the breeding program was initiated. A third Española male was returned to Galapagos in 1976 from the San Diego Zoo. An improvement in nesting areas and incubation and rearing techniques over the years has made this one of the most successful programs of the GNPS and the CDF. .
