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Floreana Community Open Science Center

The transformation of Floreana Island serves as an example of systemic change and offers hope for restoration projects in the Galápagos Archipelago and on other inhabited islands around the world. However, it is essential to involve the local population in these processes and actively engage them. The Science Center will serve as a central hub for citizen science and environmental education. By being involved, the local population can better understand these processes and actively help.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Cruise with Peter and Rosemary Grant

This exclusive offer from the Charles Darwin Foundation is open to anyone interested in a unique one-week cruise to the southeastern and western Galápagos Islands.

A new DNA study reshapes our understanding of the Galápagos Vermilion Flycatcher

A recent genetic study led by the Charles Darwin Foundation, in collaboration with international research partners, analyzed the genomes of birds from several different islands. The result: on at least eight islands, distinct lineages have evolved over very long periods of time — in some cases for more than one million years.

The origin of Jumbo und Nigrita

A Genetic study in Oulu supports Zürich Zoo and the European conservation breeding programme of Galápagos giant tortoises

Giant Tortoises Return to Floreana After More Than 150 Years

A major milestone in conservation has been reached in the Galápagos Islands: for the first time in over 150 years, 158 captive-bred giant tortoises have been released on Floreana Island. This landmark moment marks a crucial step in restoring the island’s ecosystem and offers hope for similar projects worldwide.

The Mystery of the Santa Fe Giant Tortoise

In 1969, after weeks of relentless rain on Santa Fe Island, erosion carved deep channels into the soil and exposed a remarkable find. While out observing hawks, Tjitte de Vries — the first resident scientist of the Charles Darwin Research Station — noticed a small, perfectly preserved tortoise skull among the washed-out gravel. He carefully brought it back to the station, where he and then-director Roger Perry realized it might belong to the long-extinct giant tortoise of Santa Fe.

Mug shots of Galápagos penguins help assess the state of the archipelago

They are undoubtedly the most exotic representatives of their species. Only half a meter tall and weighing just 2 kilograms, Galápagos penguins are the only ones that live north of the equator. They serve as important ambassadors within the local ecosystem, which is why monitoring them is of central importance. However, this is not so easy.

Finding a Middle Ground: Balancing Conservation and Development in the Galápagos

The Galápagos Islands have long captivated scientists, conservationists, and travelers for their exceptional wildlife, striking natural landscapes, and rich evolutionary history. Recognized as one of the earliest UNESCO World Heritage Sites and one of the world’s most iconic Biosphere Reserves, the archipelago continues to draw visitors eager to experience the ecological wonders first observed by Charles Darwin over 150 years ago.

An encounter that gives hope – protecting the Little Vermillion Flycatcher

It is 6 a.m. and the garua fog hangs over the port of Puerto Ayora, where I am waiting for researcher David Anchundia from the Charles Darwin Station's (CDF) land bird team. With a broad smile, he gets out of the car and introduces me to the others. Miriam San José is part of Heinke Jäger's team and is involved in removing invasive species to renature the Scalesia forests.

Galápagos giant tortoises shake up cancer research

Unlike humans and many other living creatures, their health does not deteriorate with age. This is why diseases such as cancer occur in old age. However, tortoises seem to follow different laws of nature, which is of great interest to human medicine.