October 19, 2023 - Galapagos Islands Travel

Galapagos conservation requires the whole community to work together. Not only professionals and scientists can solve conservation issues, but also students. Galapagueno children and students are up for the challenge. Multiple projects in the Galapagos have educated and engaged the next generation conservationists over the past year.

Beach pollution is a major issue that affects both local economies and wildlife on all islands. Recently, 65 students collected 575 pounds worth of plastic from four beaches on the archipelago. The students’ success in cleaning the beaches was not just a great conservation feat, but also an inspiration for us all.

Galapagos youth also help their homeland by participating in marine conservation practices. Galapagos National Park gave 65 students an opportunity to learn and train about marine environments. Students are involved in a variety of activities that are vital for marine conservation. These include monitoring and tagging young sharks, and restoring corals.

The next generation of Galapagos Conservationists has already made a significant impact on the island. Galapagos National Park is the Galapagos Conservancy’s main partner in conservation. These remarkable opportunities for Galapagos youth would not have been possible without them. We are proud to support this Park’s efforts to inspire the next generation of conservationists.

Students participating in beach clean-ups on Santa Cruz Island ©Galápagos National Park

Galapagos has a unique flora, fauna and giant tortoises which have become synonymous with the islands. The Espanola Giant Tortoise is one of the most endangered giant tortoise species in Galapagos. It was nearly extinct in the 18th-19th centuries due to the overhunting of whalers and humans. The Galapagos National Park, with the help of Galapagos Conservancy, has been working to bring back the Espanola giant tortoise in its natural habitat.

The species used to be widespread on Espanola Island, but in the 1960s only 15 individuals were left, and they all lived in captivity. Captive breeding is a complex program that involves repatriating tortoises to Espanola Island from breeding centers, where they were raised and hatched. The tortoises undergo a strict quarantine before they are transported to the island. They are selected according to their age, size and health. The tortoises will be released in carefully chosen areas on Espanola that have suitable habitat conditions. The microchips are regularly checked and the health of the tortoises is ensured.

Washington Tapia is our expert on tortoises and the General Director of Conservando Galápagos. He says that the tortoise population of Espanola was — and continues to be — an important element in the restoration of the island’s ecology, since their presence helps restore ecological processes including the nesting by one of the archipelago’s endemic species, the Waved Albatross. The giant tortoises, with their enormous bodies and voracious appetites clear woody vegetation out of areas where albatrosses land and take off. These runways are essential for nesting.

Galapagos Conservancy played a vital role in supporting the restoration program. They provided funding and expertise over the past 10 years, which helped ensure its success. The world’s greatest conservation success story is about to reach a successful conclusion with the repatriation of the last captive-reared turtles to the island. 86 of them were recently released. The return of the Espanola giant tortoise to their natural habitat is proof of the conservation efforts that are being made to preserve the Galapagos biodiversity for future generations.