Video Text: “The Galapagos Islands were initially discovered in 1535 by the Bishop of Panama, Fray Tomas de Berlanga. He and his crew were stranded in a completely calm sea and drifted to the islands. Without food or water to sustain themselves aboard, the crew was forced to drink the water of the native cacti to survive. They also were met by many foolishly friendly animals of which they wrote to the King of Spain, Carlos V, and highlighted the Giant Tortoises. They left the islands without favor and named them, ‘Insulae de los Galopegos.’”
After the initial discovery of the islands, they were used by pirates and other criminals as a smuggling headquarters and hiding place. An example of this comes from the first coup of Latin America in 1545, political rebels were defeated by Pizarro and escaped to the island to hide out. In 1832, the Galapagos Islands were officially claimed by Colonel Ignacio Hernandez for Ecuador. However, the most famous story of the islands is when Charles Darwin came to study the wild life. He arrived in 1835 on the HMS Beagle and observed the finches and giant tortoises, finding that there were variations in species. From this Darwin came up with his Theory of Evolution and wrote Origin of Species.
The Galapagos Islands are home to a unique array of creatures, some of which are found nowhere else in the world! The islands are riddled with giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, a variety of finches, and so many more fascinating fauna. The unique creatures found on the Galapagos Islands draw in tourists; furthermore, due to the high levels of tourism, the animals have become accustomed to being around humans. Most of the animals show a piqued curiosity towards humans and have a lack of fear in approaching tourists.
Video Text: "Among the giant tortoises residing on the Galapagos Islands, there are numerous subspecies of tortoises. One of these subspecies is known as the Fernandina giant tortoise; however, the International Union for Conservation of Nature believed this subspecies to be extinct … until February of 2019! After nearly 110 years since the last living member of the Fernandina giant tortoises has been seen, an adult female giant tortoise was spotted in a remote part of the Galapagos Islands. This female tortoise is believed to be over 100 years old! The Conservation team has taken this giant tortoise to a breeding center on Santa Cruz Island, where it will remain in a specially designed pen. The conservation team is hopeful of finding more of the Fernandina giant tortoises to breed."
Tourism plays a significant role in the economy of the Galapagos Islands. Although tourism has played a part in keeping the communities on the island prosperous, it has had harmful effects on the economic diversity of the island. Plastic waste from tourists are being consumed by the animals and suffocating them. In addition, tourism has caused new animals and insects to be released onto the island, causing the flora and fauna to immediately compete for food. Recently, efforts have been made to reduce these harmful effects. The Ecuadorian government has regulated the total amount of tourists allowed to come to these islands at one time. We should ensure that future generations are able to enjoy this modern-day Garden of Eden by limiting the amount of plastic and waste brought to the island.
References
https://www.galapagosislands.com/info/history/
http://aboutgalapagos.nathab.com/history/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/galapagos-islands/
https://www.galapagosislands.com/nature/wildlife/reptiles/
https://www.metropolitan-touring.com/galapagos-information
https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/galapagos/itinerary/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/post-office-bay
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