Galapagos Tortoise Movement Ecology Programme - Galapagos Conservation Trust

Galapagos Tortoise Movement Ecology

Tracking the movements of Galapagos giant tortoises allows us to better understand the ecology, health and reproduction of these iconic reptiles, and to protect them from human impacts.

Overview

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.

Project Partners

How we’re tackling it

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.

Project goals

Determine how environmental conditions influence tortoise movement ecology, migration routes, females returning to nesting areas, reproductive success and ecosystem services.

Determine how environmental conditions influence hatchlings’ movement ecology and their recruitment including nest predation/egg mortality, and hatchling growth and mortality.

Determine the baseline of tortoise health and place this in relationship to anthropogenic activities throughout the Archipelago.

Determine key sources and impacts of plastics and agricultural chemicals on giant tortoises.

Communicate and share the project findings through educational opportunities for young people in Galapagos including virtual and practical activities.

Galapagos giant tortoise eating cactus pad

20th Nov 2023

Island restoration Research

Galapagos giant tortoises: An update from the field

We spoke to Dr Patrick Moldowan, who joined the Galapagos Tortoise Movement Ecology Programme as Principal Investigator earlier this year, about the team’s recent work in the field.

Plastic waste found in Galapagos giant tortoise faeces

13th Nov 2023

Plastic pollution

New research shows that Galapagos giant tortoises are ingesting plastic waste

A new study published in the journal Environmental Pollution has found that giant tortoises on Santa Cruz island are ingesting items including medical face masks, glass and plastic bags.

Galapagos Day 2022 at the Royal Geographical Society, London

25th Oct 2022

Biodiversity loss Events

Galapagos Day 2022: Protecting Species & Preventing Extinctions

On Thursday 20 October we were delighted to return to the Royal Geographical Society for our first in-person Galapagos Day since 2019.

Gislayne Mendoza taking morphometric measurements of a giant tortoise.

3rd Aug 2022

Genetics Women in science

Using PCR to assess the health of Galapagos giant tortoises

Gislayne, a biotechnologist from Galapagos, explores the use of PCR in work to assess the health of Endangered giant tortoises.

How you can help

Please help us save the Galapagos giant tortoise by donating today or by adopting a tortoise.

Connecting with Nature

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.