Charles Darwin Research Station

Island of Santa Cruz hosts General Directorate of the Galapagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station, founded in 1959.

For many years the station has been known as the residence of Lonesome George, the last and the sole representative of the subspecies Abingdon Island tortoise. There was many attempts to find him genetically compatible female turtles, but he left no offspring, although such turtles theoretically maintained the ability to reproduce even up to 200 years. In the summer of 2012 Lonesome George died.

The station researches local ecosystems, studies the impact of imported animals and plants on them, promotes various issues of ecology and biology, breeds various rare species of turtles. It's better to visit this place with a guide, otherwise the walk would be like a visit to the zoo.

After reaching a certain age, kids are sent to wildlife.




Jimmy, a turtle with an unusual long neck.


Here you can see also land iguanas.


Getting there: Charles Darwin Research Station is in walking distance from the center of Puerto Ayora.