

A Galapagos giant tortoise at the Charles Darwin Research Station eats her greens. This captive tortoise is part of a breeding program that has already released hundreds of juveniles back onto their native islands. Full-grown adults can weigh more than 600 pounds and live up to 100 years or more. Giant tortoises are found only in the Galapagos. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Tourists walk along a trail along the cliffs of Plaza Sur. The small islands of Las Plazas are home to many land and marine iguanas, sea birds and sea lions. Since the islands are close to Santa Cruz, which most tourists fly into, many day excursions come here and the islands can sometimes be crowded. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A tiny finch perches on a bush on Santa Fe. The Galapagos finches helped Charles Darwin form his theory of evolution as he discovered tiny differences - like beak sizes - in the birds on each island. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Bob Goodman and Karen Shelton from California enjoy strolling among the sea lions at dusk at Gardner Bay. The sea lions are so used to tourists that they barely notice. Espanola is the southernmost island in the chain. Its remote location - and the fact that it is uninhabited - has helped protect its endemic plants and animals. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A Sally Lightfoot crab scrambles over volcanic rocks. These crabs are common along the western coast of South America - and one of many charismatic species that inhabit the Galapagos. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A Nazca booby pair groom each other. They nest on the ground near the shoreline. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A marine iguana lies in the sun on a volcanic rock. The marine iguana is found only on the Galapagos Islands and has the ability, unique among modern iguana, to live and forage in the sea. The Espanola marine iguana is the only one that changes color during breeding season. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A pair of swallowtail gulls greet the sunrise - unafraid of the tourists nearby on North Seymour. The island is only .7 square miles. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A blue-footed booby perches on a rock - showing off its characteristic coloring. North Seymour is home to one of the biggest populations of nesting blue-footed boobies. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A land iguana climbs a tree to get to the leaves it loves to eat on Las Plazas. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A sea lion plays in the surf at Gardner Bay on Espanola. Melanie Stetson Freeman
ESPANOLA, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR - 23FEB2009 - Detail of a marine iguana's back: The marine iguana is found only on the Galapagos Islands and has the ability, unique among modern iguana, to live and forage in the sea. The EspaƱola marine iguana is the only one that changes color during breeding season. PHOTO: Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor. Melanie Stetson Freeman
ESPANOLA, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR - 23FEB2009 - A Nazca booby parent with their chick in the nest. Espanola is the southernmost island in the chain. It's remote location - and the fact that it is uninhabited - has helped protect its endemic plants and animals. PHOTO: Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor. Melanie Stetson Freeman
FLOREANA, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR - 01MAR2009 - Two young girls look out over their home island. This island of 120 people is one of four that is inhabited. Project Floreana -which the Charles Darwin Foundation is planning - will attempt to restore this island to its natural state by eradicating introduced plant and animal species that are wiping out indigenous plants and animals/birds. Many day tourists come to the small town and visit the highlands. There are also two small hotels. PHOTO: Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor. Melanie Stetson Freeman
ESPANOLA, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR - 23FEB2009 - Sandy sea lion: A colony of sea lions live on Gardner Bay - so used to the many tourists who stroll by that they barely notice. EspaƱola is the southernmost island in the chain. It's remote location - and the fact that it is uninhabited - has helped protect its endemic plants and animals. PHOTO: Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor. Melanie Stetson Freeman