Urgent News Alert: Tsunami Inflicts Damage on the Charles Darwin Research Station. Donations Needed!

March 16, 2011

Dear IGTOA Supporter, 

Today we received a report from Johannah Barry, President of the Galapagos Conservancy, about the damages caused in the Galapagos by last week’s tsunami. According to the report, the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) suffered serious damage; the Marine Science labs flooded with several feet of water. Despite emergency preparation, waves completely destroyed a concrete pump house and broke massive wooden doors, flooding laboratories, workshops, and storage facilities, scattering furniture and equipment as far as 650 feet away. 

Fortunately, no lives were lost and tortoises from the Park’s Tortoise Captive Breeding Center on Santa Cruz were temporarily relocated to higher ground. 

To read the full report on the damage from the Galapagos Conservancy click here. 

Please help! IGTOA is collecting donations to help assist with the urgently needed repairs so the CDRS can resume its critical research and conservation work as quickly as possible. Our goal is to help the Galapagos Conservancy raise $40,000 for the repairs. If you would like to contribute, please send a check made out to the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association with “CDRS Repairs Donation” in the subject line to:

Matt Kareus

c/o IGTOA

PO Box 1713

Lolo, MT  59847

We will wire all of the funds collected directly to the Galapagos. If you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact me immediately. 

Of course we realize that the damage in the Galapagos does not compare to the horrible suffering being endured by the people of Japan, to whom are hearts go out, and we encourage you to also support humanitarian relief efforts there. 

Sincerely, 

 

Matt Kareus

Executive Director

International Galapagos Tour Operators Association