After a 10 hour, overnight voyage on a small ship carrying over 30 people, Dr. Joe and his team finally reached the shores of Pinta Island to begin the big day.
May 17, Monday, Pinta Island
Press cover this historic event.
We ate breakfast on the boat, then started to move the tortoises, and a few passengers each trip, to the shore on a “panga” (dinghy). Once there, we were met by a crowd of journalists here to document this historic event.
After a few photos and interviews were given by key players in this project, the first tortoise was secured on a log and hefted by 2 “cargadores” (carriers) who started up the slope. The task of transporting the tortoises is done this way because there are vehicles or carts on the island and the terrain is the kind that would make it impossible to drive. Considering the weight of the tortoises, this is the most cautious and secure method of travel.
The cargadores picked work partners and divided up the route into 11 equal segments. Each pair of workers would carry every tortoise over their segment of the path. This enabled each person to know their part of the trail very well, essential in the irregular and shifting substrate. I did not even attempt to carry a tortoise as it is hard enough for me to walk without carrying my share of a 200+ lb tortoise! The guardaparques are very familiar with the terrain in these islands and can walk up hills incredibly fast, usually without breaking a sweat. My ego can take second seat to the safety and security of tortoises making it to their new, permanent home.
A great Tortoise poses in the "meadow" before continuing his lunch.
I hiked up the trail in the morning, following in the footsteps of those carrying the tortoises. I didn’t get passed, but then, I didn’t pass anyone either! After about an hour and a half, I made it to the release site. All the tortoises were placed in the same area of meadow — a mixture of grasses and broadleaf vegetation, herbaceous vines, shrubs, and small trees. There were a few tree form prickly pear (opuntia spp.) dotting the area. All these were growing through patches of soil separated by small sheets of lava and strewn with lava boulders. This is slightly different than the grassy knoll dotted with daisies that I think of when I hear the word “meadow”, but might be as close as it comes on the island of Pinta!
As tortoises arrive, they are carefully placed on the ground and at that point they’re free to do what they will. Some started to explore. Some just looked around, sniffing the air, checking out the people, and then started to investigate their surroundings. Most started to eat within 5 minutes but all did within 20 minutes of arrival. The 39 tortoises started moving through vegetation, creating a criss-cross patchwork of trails through the grasses. It was easy to hear the sound of breaking branches, and see dried stumps of bushes and small trees tumble as the tortoises pushed their way through the area. They were doing what they were brought there to do!
Come back tomorrow to read what happens the following day on Dr. Joe’s Giant Tortoise Adventure!
Written By Dr. Joe Flanagan
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