June 2009 Archives

Crittercam

Crittercam

Scientists from CDF and the Galapagos National Park have fitted video cameras on three giant Galapagos tortoises to obtain footage of tortoise behaviour.

According to Washington Tapia, head of the Park's conservation department: "The goal is to test whether this technology will allow us to obtain pictures for example of what they do during the night, the mating season, and seasonal migrations."

The data collected will support the captive breeding, conservation and repatriation programmes across the archipelago. The cameras will remain attached to the tortoises for three weeks during an experimental phase.

A reminder to everyone that in partnership with the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), Ocean Adventures and Abercrombie & Kent we have organised an exclusive anniversary fundraising trip to Galapagos. The trip includes a 7 day luxury cruise aboard the M/V Eclipse; a reception at the British Embassy in Quito; guest speakers on board including Randal Keynes, Darwin's great great grandson; and a VIP day of special events at the Charles Darwin Research Station.

The cruise will raise funds for the Station's new visitor centre, the Charles Darwin Center for Galapagos and for the Floreana Mockingbird Restoration Project. For more details please email us at gct@gct.org or contact Matilda at A&K on 01242 547700.

Lucky first prize winners of GCT's 2008 raffle, Jim and Kathleen Selby, have just returned from Galapagos full of enthusiastic praise for their trip. The Selby's prize was a seven night cruise around Galapagos.

The Selbys declared:"Our trip to Galapagos was a great adventure and a most exciting holiday. The boat, MY Alta, is a three masted schooner accommodating a maximum of 16 passengers. It is well furnished with comfortable cabins, a cosy lounge and a smart dining room.

"The food was excellent, with lunch usually taken on deck under the shade of an awning. The local Galapagos National Park's guide, who was with us on the boat the whole week, was very knowledgeable and informative on all aspects of the geology and wild life of the islands. On the various shore excursions, we were able to approach the larger birds and animals to within a few feet to take some stunning photographs.

"Thanks must go to Discovery Initiatives for donating the cruise in aid of GCT."

This year's raffle offers the chance to win a seven night cruise on board the MY Alta, once again kindly sponsored by Discovery Initiatives. For more information and to purchase tickets please click on this link Raffle 2009.

The Charles Darwin Foundation's (CDF's) Executive Director, Dr Gabriel Lopez, has announced the launch in 2009 of three signature (flagship) initiatives.

In a letter dated 12 May addressed to Friends of the Charles Darwin Foundation, Dr Lopez said CDF and its partners have increasingly focused on integrating socio-economic issues into its already substantial knowledge of the local natural environment.

Dr Lopez named the projects as: the ground-breaking restoration of the inhabited Floreana Island; an integrated effort to predict the impacts of climate change in Galapagos; and the first ever geographic index to measure the impact of human activities on the archipelago.

Welcoming Dr Lopez's announcement, GCT's chief executive, Toni Darton, said:"These initiatives fit very well with the holistic approach to conservation that GCT has been taking in recent years. Floreana is already a priority for for GCT this year and understanding the impact of both climate change and human activity are critical to ensuring a sustainable future for Galapagos."