Galapagos giant tortoises are among the most iconic species in the Archipelago; not only are they the world’s largest terrestrial reptiles, they are also important keystone species, and play a vital role in maintaining the Islands’ unique habitats. Driven to extinction on some islands and the brink of extinction on others, tortoises are slowly recovering but remain threatened. We are supporting the Galapagos Tortoise Movement Ecology Programme (GTMEP) to improve our understanding of the ecology, health and reproduction of these iconic reptiles in order to inform future conservation strategies.
12
out of 15 Galapagos tortoise species survive in the Archipelago
150
years old – the age giant tortoises can live to
8
islands in Galapagos are now home to giant tortoises
The major threats to the giant tortoise populations, namely invasive species, urbanisation, climate change and land-use change, all stem from anthropogenic causes. Only through an understanding of the ecological needs of the tortoises can landscape planning successfully conserve their numbers.
The GTMEP, led by Dr Stephen Blake, addresses this need to better mitigate the negative human effects on tortoises through determining their spatial needs, assessing changes in tortoise populations over time, and looking at the extent to which their health is being impacted by human activity.
Building on over a decade of research we have supported, our focus now is on piloting solutions to reduce key threats, including ‘tortoise-friendly’ farm strategies, strengthening tortoise nest protection with Park Rangers, tackling the sources of environmental and biological pollutants in tortoise habitat (plastic waste, viruses and antibiotic-resistant bacteria), and improving community awareness of tortoise-traffic collisions – all vital actions to protect this iconic species.
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Please help us save the Galapagos giant tortoise by donating today or by adopting a tortoise.
Young people in Galapagos can face both physical and financial barriers to accessing nature within the Galapagos National Park.
Our Connecting with Nature programme allows young people in Galapagos to experience the incredible flora and fauna around them, fostering a love for nature and strong sustainability values.
