It's almost overwhelming to see so many different kinds of unique, amazing animals each day.....yet, we continue! On Monday, while Kent went to a high school for a planning meeting, the girls and I jumped at the chance to visit the Galapaguera. The group of staff and volunteers on the Conservation Project head over the hills on M/W/F to feed the adult and juvenile tortoises at this protected breeding area. We took the white pick-up taxis with the others, stopping at a farm to fill the pick-up bed with fresh leaves and stalks for the tortoises. The drive is 20-30 minutes on winding, bumpy roads....even I was getting queasy in the back seat!
Once we arrived we bundled the stalks to each carry a bundle back into the Galapaguera. The tortoises either smelled the food coming, or just knew it was time, because they were coming the other direction, blocking the path! I was lagging behind the other humans (being the oldest in the group!) and wasn't quite sure how to get around these huge creatures.....finally giving them the right-of-way, I went off the path to get my bundle to the feeding area. They quickly changed course and climbed over each other to get the yummy leaves and stalks :). While they ate, we cleaned and refilled their watering hole.
The Galapaguera was started 8 years ago when the tortoises had become endangered on the island. Now 30-40 adults are kept in this area to breed, along with the young ones up to age six. After 6 years they are taken to the natural tortoise habitat on the far side of the island, reachable only by boat.
After our time with the tortoises we walked a short distance to a hillside where the Conservation Project is in the midst of reforestation, with the intent in reducing the number of invasive plants in the area and replanting native species to restore the habitat for many endemic animals. The National Park and government are sponsoring the project, and progress is being measured through annual bird counts.
We spent time doing our little part, helping to dig up small native plants (one kind) that will be planted in the greenhouse, and later on another hillside that is also undergoing reforestation. It's inspiring to experience the passion of the local young adults who are working on these projects to protect this treasure that is their home.
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