Giant Tortoises and Sea Lions: Unique Species of the Galápagos and Conservation Efforts to Protect Them

During the winter of 2022, I spent three weeks volunteering as a Klemm Fellow on the Galápagos Islands. This incredible archipelago on the equator is home to unique species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. It is therefore of utmost importance to protect the endemic species, many of which are endangered, and restore the habitat. I participated in several conservation projects such as feeding giant tortoises at the Galapaguera; monitoring sea lions, iguanas and birds at the beaches; protecting the petrel bird population from non-native rats in the highlands; weeding invasive plant species; cleaning beaches; and painting murals at a local high school to raise awareness about the rich biodiversity on the islands. In my free time, I enjoyed snorkeling with hammerhead and blacktip reef sharks as well as sea lions, sea turtles, and plenty of fish! As a lifelong dancer, I found great joy in sharing my love for dance by teaching choreography to students at a local dance company and to children in primary school.