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Witness the Survival of a Species at the Charles Darwin Research Station
Published by Katie Cappello, Writer
Country: Ecuador 
The Experience
Entering the Charles Darwin Research Station, you will feel miles away from the bustling little town of Puerto Ayora, one of the few places in the Galapagos Archipelago that is inhabited year round by humans. Most places visited during trips to the Galapagos find you crowded not by tourists, but by sea lions, iguanas, and Sally Lightfoot crabs, and, while Puerto Ayora is not a metropolis by any stretch of the imagination, a return to civilization is welcomed every once in a while.
Approaching the Charles Darwin Research Station a series of ringed walkways guide you through the living quarters of the scientists and geneticists working here in the effort to educate and conserve the biodiversity of the Galapagos. In fact, the Charles Darwin Research Station is dedicated to protecting all native species of the islands, plants included. Plants are exceptionally important in such a precisely balanced environment as the Galapagos, where the slightest change or loss could be devastating to an entire species.
The sanctuary’s most famous resident, Lonesome George, the last remaining Abingdon Island Tortoise in the world, symbolizes this threat of extinction. He has been labeled the rarest creature on earth, following the decimation of his local habitat by the introduction of feral goats on Pinta Island. Lonesome George shares his verdant, sunny corral with three female tortoises, chosen for their physical similarity to George, yet they have unfortunately failed to conceive. While geneticists scramble to find a more genetically similar mate, George seems content to sit stoically in the dappled sunlight and wait.
In another corral, George's virile opposite, Super Diego, does his part to keep his species going. At over one hundred years old, Diego continues to father more than five hundred tortoises each year, more than three of his younger male counterparts combined. Scientists hope that by studying his amazing potency, they will be able to use what they learn to help save other species from extinction.
No visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station is complete without a visit the nursery, where hundreds of baby tortoises are prepared for release into the wild. Each tiny tortoise is marked according to their species and their island of origin. The smallest of which begin smaller than your palm, but will eventually grow to become larger than a fully developed man. These small soldiers offer hope for the life of each of their species, and a continued respect for balance in the fragile Galapagos Archipelago.
Approaching the Charles Darwin Research Station a series of ringed walkways guide you through the living quarters of the scientists and geneticists working here in the effort to educate and conserve the biodiversity of the Galapagos. In fact, the Charles Darwin Research Station is dedicated to protecting all native species of the islands, plants included. Plants are exceptionally important in such a precisely balanced environment as the Galapagos, where the slightest change or loss could be devastating to an entire species.
The sanctuary’s most famous resident, Lonesome George, the last remaining Abingdon Island Tortoise in the world, symbolizes this threat of extinction. He has been labeled the rarest creature on earth, following the decimation of his local habitat by the introduction of feral goats on Pinta Island. Lonesome George shares his verdant, sunny corral with three female tortoises, chosen for their physical similarity to George, yet they have unfortunately failed to conceive. While geneticists scramble to find a more genetically similar mate, George seems content to sit stoically in the dappled sunlight and wait.
In another corral, George's virile opposite, Super Diego, does his part to keep his species going. At over one hundred years old, Diego continues to father more than five hundred tortoises each year, more than three of his younger male counterparts combined. Scientists hope that by studying his amazing potency, they will be able to use what they learn to help save other species from extinction.
No visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station is complete without a visit the nursery, where hundreds of baby tortoises are prepared for release into the wild. Each tiny tortoise is marked according to their species and their island of origin. The smallest of which begin smaller than your palm, but will eventually grow to become larger than a fully developed man. These small soldiers offer hope for the life of each of their species, and a continued respect for balance in the fragile Galapagos Archipelago.
When to Go to Charles Darwin Station
Situated near the equator, the Galapagos Islands have a mild temperature year-round, which means that any time of the year will make for an enjoyable visit. Birds and land animals mate and give birth during the dry, hot months of July through December. If you crave the sight of baby tortoises, this is the best time to go. Baltra Island, which houses the main airport in the Galapagos, is only a short flight from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Take a bus from the airport to the ferry, which will get you to Santa Cruz Island. Board a second bus, and you will soon find yourself in Puerto Ayora. The Charles Darwin Research Station is open daily from 7am - 6pm, and admission is included in the islands entry fee you pay upon landing in the Galapagos.
Odds n' Ends
Ecuador uses American currency, so if you are traveling from the United States, there is no need to change money. The animals have no innate fear of humans, so they will not run away. You must be careful not to step on, touch, or in any other way disturb the wildlife of these beautiful islands.
Lonely George is a particularly shy and elusive tortoise, so be patient when visiting his corral. It may take some time for him to emerge for photographs.
Above all, respect the environmental balance of the Galapagos Islands. Take only photographs, and leave only footprints.
Lonely George is a particularly shy and elusive tortoise, so be patient when visiting his corral. It may take some time for him to emerge for photographs.
Above all, respect the environmental balance of the Galapagos Islands. Take only photographs, and leave only footprints.
Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
General Description\nTranquil ambience\nIdeal accommodations for a vacation getaway\n4 star accommodations\nBreath taking views and exceptional service!\nLocation\nConveniently located in Galapagos Islands\nRecreation\nOutdoor swimming pool\nRelaxing spa/hot tub\nRestaurants & Lounges\nOnsite ... 0 miles away
$281 USD+
Small and charming hotel recently opened in February 2009 in Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos archipelago, is home to the Charles ... 0 miles away
$90 USD+
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More Experiences Nearby
- Gallivant in the Galapagos
- The Galapagos Islands’ rich natural history has been fascinating the world since Charles Darwin’s famed visit aboard the Beagle in 1835. Once a hideout for pirates and a pit stop for whalers, it is now a hot spot for eco-tourism. Darwin’s exploration in the Galapagos provided the foundation for his most famous writings, The Origin of the Species, which introduces the theory of evolution. The Galapagos Islands are known by many different names, including the Enchanted Islands. It’s easy to see why the islands would be given such a moniker as they are filled with thousands of unique species of ...17 miles away.
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Books and DVDs
- Wildlife of the Galapagos
- A field guide to the plants, animals, and sea life of the Galapagos Islands, complete with color photographs.
- Lonesome George: The Life and Loves of the World's Most Famous Tortoise
- Science writer Nicholls tells the story of Lonesome George, of his rise to conservation poster boy, and of his status as a tourist attraction.
- The Origin of Species
- Charles Darwin's most famous work, composed after his life-changing voyage to the Galapagos Islands.
Elsewhere on the Web
- Charles Darwin Foundation
- The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) has carried out research for the conservation of the Galapagos ecosystem for almost 50 years.
Media References
- Where Darwin Mused, Strife Over Ecosystem - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- Here where exotic natural diversity led Charles Darwin to the theory of evolution and the notion of survival of the fittest, a new struggle is raging: fishermen unwilling to accept limits on their catch are openly and violently defying the Ecuadorean government's efforts to preserve a delicate and threatened ecosystem.
- Will Science Come to Aid of Galapagos Bachelor? Tune In - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- Scientists think they now know why Lonesome George, the Galapagos Islands' most eligible bachelor, can't seem to have a meaningful relationship.
- The Galapagos, a Bold Eden - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- IN the Galapagos, we walked right up to red-footed boobies sitting on their eggs, and they didn't even flinch. These gull-like birds treated us as if we were invisible. We swam up to sea lions, and they didn't flinch. We might have rubbed noses with them if we hadn't been wearing diving masks.
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