In whatever time I could spare, I have been diligently reading everything about the Galápagos Islands, ever since Nina (the amazing Program Manager at National Geographic who manages the Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program) called me while I was overseas in Amsterdam in February. I have explored websites (my favorite is the Galápagos Conservancy website: http://www.galapagos.org/), run google searches on "Galápagos wildlife" and "baby boobies" and read several books ranging from fiction to environmental history to children's books to a variety of colorful wildlife guides. There is so much to learn and although I am unbelievably excited, part of me envies the fellows who will head to the Galápagos in fall after a leisurely
1. The first resident of the Galápagos Islands might be one of my ancestors. Okay, it's a long shot, but the first resident of the Galápagos Islands was an Irishman named Patrick Watson. I have a ton of Irish heritage, and Ireland isn't that big so it is definitely possible.
The Galápagos Islands were first discovered by Spanish explorers in the 16th century, and were uninhabited, although visited frequently by pirates and whaler. Patrick Watson became the first full time resident of the Islands when he was marooned on Floreana in 1807. Watson stayed on the island for two years, making a living by growing vegetables which he traded for rum when whalers visited the island. In 1809, he managed to steal a ship and sail to Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Following Watkins, a small penal colony was established, making the islands home to prisoners and prostitutes. Several attempts at colonization were made by both England and the United States, but nothing ever stuck. Later characters to arrive include of course Charles Darwin aboard the HMS and Beagle in 1835 and a group of germans in the 1930s, one of whom was a baroness who had 3 lovers and ended up disappearing! Of course since Darwin's visit, many scientific expeditions have come to the Galápagos Islands and today 4 of the islands are inhabited, with a population of around 25,000 people, many supporting the tourism industry and research and conservancy efforts.
2. Like the people in the Galápagos Islands, all of the plants and animals there had to arrive from somewhere else. When Galápagos Islands were formed, they were completely inhospitable and not inhabited by any plant or animal species. That means, that in order to arrive and colonize, species had to swim, fly or float on a raft to the islands.
Today of course, the Galápagos are famous for the incredible endemic wildlife found there. Each island is filled with unique and varied wildlife that you can't see anywhere else in the world. Interestingly though, the mammals that have thrived and adapted to the islands are primarily birds, reptiles, fish and marine mammals. There are no amphibians on the islands and mammals are very rare (aside from the marine mammals, there are only two types of rats and of course humans!).
This information also explains why in one geographic area, you can find species that you wouldn't expect to find in the same place. The islands are located right on the equator with ocean currents coming in from all directions. The
Galápagos are the northernmost place in the world that is home to penguins who most likely migrated from the southernmost tip of South America (the Galápagos penguin) and on the same islands you can find pink flamingoes whose species likely originated in the Caribbean.
3. "The Galápagos Islands are one of the most active volcanic regions on earth." (from "Galápagos: A Natural History" by Michael H. Jackson). In fact, Volcán Wolf on Isla Isabela erupted TODAY for the first time in 33 years! (also, I find it really hilarious that probably the most well known natural history books written about the Galápagos, was written by someone named Michael Jackson)
So far most of the news I have found on this is in Spanish, so I don't have all of the information. I do know, that there are no people inhabiting this island so there was no threat to humans in the area, and the National Park just released a statement that there was not a threat to any endemic land species on the island. Next week is definitely shaping up to be an adventure.
summer with all of the time in the world to research and learn about so many endlessly fascinating topics. Nonetheless, I am leaving on Thursday morning, and want to share a few learnings that have stood out to me so far. 1. The first resident of the Galápagos Islands might be one of my ancestors. Okay, it's a long shot, but the first resident of the Galápagos Islands was an Irishman named Patrick Watson. I have a ton of Irish heritage, and Ireland isn't that big so it is definitely possible.
The Galápagos Islands were first discovered by Spanish explorers in the 16th century, and were uninhabited, although visited frequently by pirates and whaler. Patrick Watson became the first full time resident of the Islands when he was marooned on Floreana in 1807. Watson stayed on the island for two years, making a living by growing vegetables which he traded for rum when whalers visited the island. In 1809, he managed to steal a ship and sail to Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Following Watkins, a small penal colony was established, making the islands home to prisoners and prostitutes. Several attempts at colonization were made by both England and the United States, but nothing ever stuck. Later characters to arrive include of course Charles Darwin aboard the HMS and Beagle in 1835 and a group of germans in the 1930s, one of whom was a baroness who had 3 lovers and ended up disappearing! Of course since Darwin's visit, many scientific expeditions have come to the Galápagos Islands and today 4 of the islands are inhabited, with a population of around 25,000 people, many supporting the tourism industry and research and conservancy efforts.
2. Like the people in the Galápagos Islands, all of the plants and animals there had to arrive from somewhere else. When Galápagos Islands were formed, they were completely inhospitable and not inhabited by any plant or animal species. That means, that in order to arrive and colonize, species had to swim, fly or float on a raft to the islands.
Today of course, the Galápagos are famous for the incredible endemic wildlife found there. Each island is filled with unique and varied wildlife that you can't see anywhere else in the world. Interestingly though, the mammals that have thrived and adapted to the islands are primarily birds, reptiles, fish and marine mammals. There are no amphibians on the islands and mammals are very rare (aside from the marine mammals, there are only two types of rats and of course humans!).
This information also explains why in one geographic area, you can find species that you wouldn't expect to find in the same place. The islands are located right on the equator with ocean currents coming in from all directions. The
Galápagos are the northernmost place in the world that is home to penguins who most likely migrated from the southernmost tip of South America (the Galápagos penguin) and on the same islands you can find pink flamingoes whose species likely originated in the Caribbean.
3. "The Galápagos Islands are one of the most active volcanic regions on earth." (from "Galápagos: A Natural History" by Michael H. Jackson). In fact, Volcán Wolf on Isla Isabela erupted TODAY for the first time in 33 years! (also, I find it really hilarious that probably the most well known natural history books written about the Galápagos, was written by someone named Michael Jackson)
So far most of the news I have found on this is in Spanish, so I don't have all of the information. I do know, that there are no people inhabiting this island so there was no threat to humans in the area, and the National Park just released a statement that there was not a threat to any endemic land species on the island. Next week is definitely shaping up to be an adventure.