Cruise Day 8

Today is the last day of our cruise. We woke up and went to the Island of Santa Cruz at port Ayora where we began our adventure. we came on land and went to the Darwin Center. I thought it was really enjoyable. We learned about the turtles and specific turtles, Lonesome George and Super Diego.

Lonesome George is the last turtle of his kind. They thought that this species had been extinct until George was found. He is the last one! They put him in an inclosure with two females of a similar species. George was scared. he had grown up all alone and now has to interact socially, and hopefully sexually with these two females. Then two males were placed in the inclosure to help george learn what to do, this scared Geroge even more. So they were removed, eventually George learned social behavior but has yet to create babies. The next step will be artificial insemination to save this species. George is approx. 75 years old.

Then Super Diego. A different species. There were only twelve of this species left. 2 males and 10 females. The Darwin Center sent out messages throughout the world to locate any other turtles and Diego was found at the San Diego zoo (hense the name). He was put into the inclosure with the rest of his kind. It happened to be breeding season and Diego was SUPER! He helped in the process of saving this species. he apparently had to be taken out of the enclosure because he was a little to super.

Once we left the Darwin Center, we were handed our bags and said our goodbyes to everyone we had met. Everyone was continuing to the airport and we were starying on the island for a few more days. When saying our goodbyes we saw Fabrizio (our old guide) with his new group...awkward. This wa such a great experience and if people have the money I would recomend going on a cruise of the Galapagos. It is worth it to have a guide who is trained (a naturalist 3). It was the most amazing experience.

02/01/08