Hatchling Galapagos tortoises

Description:

These 2013 hatchling galapagos giant tortoises will eventually be repatriated to their island, Isla Santiago (James Island). This subspecies is listed as Endangered with less than 2K individuals. Programs like this one, which raise the tortoises past the age when they are susceptible to multiple predators, help in increasing the island's population.

Habitat:

Pens at Charles Darwin Research Station. As they grow and age they move on to larger pens and enclosures. Eventually when they are deemed large and strong enough (approx. 4-6 yrs old) they are released to the appropriate island. This spotting is just for the darwini subspecies that will go to James Island.

Notes:

Eggs are taken from the field and incubated at the Charles Darwin Research Station, and then hatched. For more information, see the reference links and the photos of the informational signs I've included in this spotting.