Charles Darwin Research Station

January 15, 2022March 12, 2023

New Galápagos video on YouTube

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.

December 10, 2020December 10, 2020

Santa visits the Charles Darwin Research Station

Santa arrives by panga (small boat) at the Charles Darwin Research Station dock on December 23rd 1994.

Everyone welcomes Santa on his way to the Station cafeteria. There he greets the staff’s children and regales all with holiday sweets. By tradition, Santa and helpers deliver a special gift to each child.

December 10, 2020December 10, 2020

Galápagos floating city

In 1994 the pepino (sea cucumber) fishermen in Galápagos created a floating city that harvested and processed pepinos on boats, without the need to go ashore. At this time it was legal to harvest pepinos, but going ashore in protected areas of Galápagos National Park was not allowed.