When forest fires and poaching of iconic Galápagos tortoises broke out in 1994 on Ecuador’s Isabela Island, the Galápagos National Park Service and international partners evacuated endangered giant tortoises to save their lives.
One young tortoise had severe damage to a hind leg. Park Guards named it “Patojito” for its lame foot and advocated for its survival. They sent it for treatment to the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) on Santa Cruz island.
This video, Part 1, covers the initial surgery and follow-up treatment.
Patojito was then flown to the USA for further surgery and convalescence. University of Florida veterinarians attached a prosthetic skid, so Patojito could move about in Galapagos.
Part 2 will cover the return of Patojito to the CDRS in Galápagos.