Giant Tortoise Breeding Center

Role Overview

Since the discovery of the Galapagos Islands, giant tortoises have been exploited by almost every group of people who have visited (whalers, pirates, and scientists), as well as the people who live there.  Between 100,000 to 200,000 giant tortoises were removed and killed in two centuries.  From hunting, to habitat alteration, to the current biggest threat - the introduction of animals now acting as predators and competitors, the giant tortoise population was almost wiped out on Isabela Island.  The Giant Tortoise Breeding Center was started in 1990 in attempts to recuperate the giant tortoise population through its program of breeding, care, and reintroduction to the wild, as well as through education programs for tourists and local people.  These reptiles, emblematic of the Galapagos, are imperative to the unique Galapagos ecosystem.  The Breeding Center depends on volunteers to work with caretakers, experts, and educators to repopulate this species.

As the Galapagos Tortoise Center conservation volunteer, you will work with staff the Galapagos National Park at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center on Isabela Island. You will work primarily outdoors in the shaded tortoise enclosures.  This will include:

• Feeding and caring for the tortoises, as well as maintaining their enclosure.
• Assisting the zoo keepers.
• Working directly with the public to educate tourists about giant tortoises and to also inform them of the rules and regulations designed to keep the tortoises safe and the habitats intact. 

• Building New, and Improving Existing, Infrastructure: renovating a classroom for program use, maintaining, and painting the center.

• Providing Education: local schools participate in field trips to the center, instilling stewardship for the environment in the nearly 600 K-12 children who attend school on the island; creating a junior park ranger program that promotes scientific learning while promoting a sense of ecological agency and care among young people.

Requirements:

• Basic to intermediate level of Spanish.
• A genuine passion for animal conservation.
• An ability to openly communicate rules and regulations to tourists as well as follow instructions. 
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Flexible schedule that accounts for the day to day needs of working with a local institution.
• Physical ability to work outdoors with potentially high sun, element, and temperature exposure.
• All equipment is provided, but make sure to bring closed-toed shoes and clothes you can get dirty

Schedule

Schedules are based on a 25 hr/week commitment, and can voluntarily be extended to a regular 40hr/work week. Typically Monday-Friday 7:30AM-12:30PM.  May be subject to change depending on the tasks at hand.

After breakfast with your homestay family or in our volunteer housing, you will start the morning at 7:30, cleaning the tortoise enclosures and feeding the many tortoises at the center.  Work directly with park staff to learn about tortoise care, help in the incubation and hatching center, and interface with visitors to the center.  

On Galapagos you can live a Pacific Island life. This means you can choose between a lot of free time activities including surfing, soccer, beach volley, etc.