[Versión en español abajo]

Late last night, Galápagos Conservancy scientists and Galápagos National Park Rangers, left port on Santa Cruz Island destined for Fernandina Island. There, they will spend the next week searching for more Fernandina Giant Tortoises (Chelonoidis phantasticus), a species that was believed extinct for more than 100 years prior to the 2019 discovery of a lone female tortoise, Fernanda. The team will search, in particular, for a male tortoise that can mate with Fernanda to save the species from imminent extinction.

Upon arrival, the 18-person expedition team will already have access to food and water thanks to helicopter drops that took place in January. The group will then pair off into nine two-person working groups that will search strategic sites on the island. In total, the group will cover approximately 65 square kilometers (25 square miles) in search of tortoises.

According to Dr. Jorge Carrión, Galápagos Conservancy’s Conservation Manager and leader of the expedition, the team will conduct a meticulous search for tortoises or signs of tortoise activity (e.g. tracks, scat, beds). If a tortoise is found, a passive integrated responder microchip (PIT) will be placed on its shell before transporting it to the Santa Cruz Giant Tortoise Breeding Center.

In addition to the search for tortoises, scientists will also evaluate and record the presence of other endemic species on the island, including Darwin’s Flycatcher, doves, and cuckoos, as well as introduced species such as ticks and cottony maple scales.

Galápagos Conservancy is closely monitoring the progress of the expedition in the hopes of finding a tortoise who can save this incredible species.