The Giant Tortoises of the Galapagos Islands

Abstract

The Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos has as its most urgent duty the protection of the remaining giant tortoises, which, besides being one of the most interesting and spectacular elements in the unique fauna, and giving the islands their name, are at present in greater danger of extinction than any other native animals. Accurate knowledge of their present status is a prerequisite of conservation, and this is not easy to obtain in the extremely difficult terrain where most of the surviving tortoises live. This paper summarises very briefly the previously available information: its main purpose is to present the new information which has been obtained in the last year and a half (time of writing, August, 1964), to discuss the factors threatening their continued existence, and to outline the conservation measures which have already been taken and those that are planned for the future.