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We know that Natural Habitat Adventures travelers are passionate about our planet’s wild places, because that’s where you find your inner sustenance. Well, there are plenty of things you can do as a traveler to help sustain those very places!
In the Galapagos National Park, you’re not allowed to come within six feet of an animal, but it’s nearly impossible to follow this rule. One of the incredible things about the Galapagos Islands and the National Park program is how successful the local conservation efforts are in protecting the flora and fauna of the islands.
As I dip my paddle into the clear turquoise water of the Galapagos Islands, something catches my eye beneath the surface: gliding gracefully below me is a green sea turtle, its flippers moving rhythmically as it rises to the surface for a breath.
Recent genetic tests performed on two groups of about giant tortoises living on the island of Santa Cruz has revealed the existence of a brand new species. Previously, scientists believed that tortoises living on the western and eastern sides of Santa Cruz belonged to the same species.
This is a guest post by Julie Waggoner, Marketing Intern at Natural Habitat Adventures. So after months of admiring photos and looking for the right trip, you’ve decided to take the plunge and booked a fabulous trip to the Galapagos Islands. Congratulations! One of the world’s most unique ecosystems awaits you.
Visit the Galapagos Islands and you’re sure to see plenty of Galapagos sea lions lazing in the sand. They’re usually pretty good at making themselves comfortable. This one, however, decided to use a rock for a pillow for some reason. She still looks pretty happy though.
Iguanas are a common and generally welcome site in the Galapagos Islands. In fact, the archipelago is literally crawling with them in some places. But last month, a very unusual iguana sighting raised serious alarm bells in the Galapagos conservation community. A green iguana, which is native to mainland South America, was spotted and captured.
Birdwatching in the Galapagos Islands just got a little easier and more fun thanks to a new free app. BirdsEye Galapagos will help visitors identify and learn about birds and allow them to contribute to science and conservation by helping scientists monitor and track bird populations.
When most people think of the Galapagos Islands, natural, rather than human, history understandably comes to mind. Still, people have done some pretty interesting things here since Tomas de Berlanga, the Bishop of Panama, first landed on these volcanic shores in 1535.
Back in June we reported that a court in Ecuador issued a landmark ruling when it convicted all the defendants in an illegal shark fishing case within the Galapagos Marine Reserve.
Can you imagine being the last of your species? Or how about meeting the last individual of another species, knowing that yours has sentenced them to extinction?
Would you actually consider taking your kids to one of the most renowned “living” natural history museums on Earth – and then cut them loose? Well, if it’s the Galapagos Islands then…heck yeah you would!
