Laura’s Galapagos Turtelly Terrific Giant Tortoise Adventure!

Laura McAllan Start Date: Jun 5, 2023 - End Date: Oct 4, 2023
  • Ecuador
  • Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

My Travel Story

by: Laura McAllan Start Date: Jun 5, 2023 - End Date: Oct 4, 2023
Dear Friends and Family,
Instead of any birthday gift this year, I am asking for any donation you can manage to support my Galapagos Galavant!

When?

I am traveling to The Galápagos Islands in Sept to volunteer for 2 weeks at a Giant Tortoise Breeding Center in The Galápagos Islands. The program is through IVHQ (International Volunteer HQ) and is a 2 week program stating on the 4 Sept.  I am staying with a host family during the program.

Where?

Isabela Island Tortoise Center:
The Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Center on Isabela Island was inaugurated in 1995, in response to a major fire on southern Isabela that was threatening tortoise habitat and to help rebuild the various subpopulations more rapidly.

What?
The Center includes breeding groups of tortoises from Cerro Azul (Endangered) and Sierra Negra (Critically Endangered), which produce young for eventual return to the wild.
The Center houses 69 breeding adults, producing approx 250 young per year.

Why?
Rearing young tortoises in captivity to approximately 5 years of age prior to releasing them into the wild is a vital tool in rebuilding population numbers quickly.

Given that the historical population throughout the Archipelago was between 200,000-300,000 tortoises, and the current population is 10-15% of that, this recovery will be a long, slow process.

I have always wanted to visit the Galápagos Islands and feel it will be a more valuable experience if I can participate in supporting and ensuring the unique Galapagos ecosystem! It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity! THANK YOU  for your support!
  • Ecuador
  • Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Updates

4

  • Just Bought My Travel Insurance - $106!

    Just bought my travel insurance - $106!
    Travel insurance time! Never had it before - lol. But it was a requirement of the program! $106

  • I’m At 12% Funding!

    I’m at 12% funding!
    I have had 7 awesome people donate to my trip so far!
    I’m at 12% - thank you! Still got time to go and I just submitted my background check. I also booked my flight there with air miles. I leave on the 1st of September and spend 2 nights in San Pablo del Lago next to 2 volcanoes. Then I fly to Baltra Island before getting a boat to Isabela Island - where I will be volunteering! Thank you, Maurice, Lesley, Norm and LouAnne, Brian and Katie, Ryan and Janna, Liz, Chris and Lydia and Patricia!

Adventure Registry

  • Volcano Hike!

    1