Galapagos Giant Tortoise, El Chato Ranch, Santa Cruz, Galapagos

El Chato Ranch, Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador (August 2023)

This image was taken during the Gems of Galapagos trip organised by Natures Images and led by Mark Sisson and Pablo Cersosimo (Wild South Photography). An eight-day cruise was undertaken aboard the catamaran Nemo II following the south itinerary:

Day 1 Baltra (midday start), North Seymour (pm)
Day 2 San Cristobal: Lobos Island - Kicker Rock (am), Brujo Hill (pm)
Day 3 Floreana: Champion Islet - Cormorant Point (am), Post Office Bay - The Baroness Viewpoint (pm)
Day 4 Espanola: Osborn Islet - Gardner Island - Gardner Bay (am), Suarez Point (pm)
Day 5 Santa Cruz: Highlands (am), Charles Darwin Station (pm)
Day 6 South Plaza (am), Santa Fe (pm)
Day 7 Bartolome (am), Chinese Hat (pm)
Day 8 Daphne Major - Baltra (8:30 am end)

Status is classified as Endangered. For more information on this species of tortoise see the following links:
Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) / Wikipedia
Galapagos giant tortoise Chelonoidis spp. / Galapagos Conservation Trust

Shooting Time 09:18
Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/1000
Av(Aperture Value) 8.0
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 1250

Latitude 00 40 5.7 S
Longitude 90 25 55.0 W
Altitude 254.50m