Darwin Research Station

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Fri 19 Apr 2013 22:17
The Charles Darwin Research Station
 
 
 
 
 
 
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We wandered through town and saw an amazing shop front, the doors on two sides were ordinary garage doors. Later we would see the souvenir shop open. On we bimbled and saw a very sad looking blue-footed booby.
 
 
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Ten minutes later we walked through the gates of the Charles Darwin Research Station, were warmly welcomed by the lady in the booth, who took our nationality for her form. On the wall beyond was a great three-d map. Bear points to where we are on Santa Cruz.
 
 
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Up at the tortoise corall all was quiet. Looking at these chaps in a picture we could say they were ten inches long. You have to take our word that these are really BIG. Bear wasn’t allowed in for me to get perspective. You know I would have willingly  - just to satisfy the strict criteria of our faithful blog readers. Yes Dear.
 

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Ummmmmmmmm, lots of clacking and grunting.

 

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“Cuddling tortoise style” – No comment.

 

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The size comparison with the tortoises is very similar to the ratio to Bear and a cactus.

 

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The we went to see the babies, all numbered and penned according to the island they are destined to repopulate.

 

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A really handsome land iguana.

 

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Sadly these chaps live one to a penno cuddling then....... No comment.

 

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We watched a bit of dancing.

 

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Sadly the female of the pair had a poorly foot, later we found a sign that explained why.

 

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Next we looked in the Interpretation Centre

 

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The Charles Darwin Research Station is a biological research station operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation here on Santa Cruz with satellite offices on Isabela and San Cristobal islands. The objective of the Charles Darwin Research Station is to conduct scientific research and environmental education for conservation. The Station has a team of over one hundred scientists, educators, volunteers, research students and support staff from all over the world. Scientific research and monitoring projects are conducted at the Charles Darwin Research Station in conjunction and cooperation its chief partner, the Galapagos National Park Service, which functions as the principal government authority in charge of conservation and natural resource issues in the Galapagos.

 

The information from this research is given to the Galapagos National Park Service and the Ecuadorian Government to better protect and maintain this precious area. The information is also published in scientific journals, reports, and interpretive displays for visitors and becomes part of the environmental education process. The Darwin Station also works providing environmental education to communities and schools within the islands, and to tourists visiting the Galapagos Islands. The Darwin Station has developed the curriculum for Galapagos Guides including the study of the Island's natural history, conservation and preservation of the islands.

 

The Charles Darwin Foundation grew out of a project housed in the Smithsonian Institute for over twenty years, and was launched as an independent entity in late 1992 with the blessing and cooperation of the Smithsonian Institute. The CDF, Inc. is responsible for raising funds to support projects in Galapagos related to the conservation mandate of the Charles Darwin Foundation, and is a logistical base in the U.S. for projects and programs in the Galapagos. The Foundation also conducts seminars, briefings, and other public education and advocacy efforts to inform the general public about conservation issues and current work being undertaken in the Galapagos. It also distributes and publishes Noticias de Galapagos and The Galapagos Bulletin several times a year to the international membership of over 8,000 "Friends of Galapagos", donors and institutions which support Galapagos conservation.

 

The Darwin Station provides:

·         Information and technical assistance for the Galapagos National Park Service and other branches of the government of Ecuador.

·         Support for resident and visiting scientists who work in Galapagos.

·         Environmental education for island communities and schools and for the visitors that come to Galapagos each year.

·         Hands-on training in science, education, and conservation for Ecuadorian university students who participate in the Darwin Station's volunteer and scholarship programs.

 

 

Long may it continue this valuable work.

 

 

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ALL IN ALL THEIR BENEFICIAL WORK IS SO IMPORTANT

                     VERY WELL PRESENTED AND INTERESTING

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