Ecuador’s leading hospitality company for active adventure, Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges is pleased to announce the creation of the Galapagos Islands’ first Private Tortoise Reserve, due to open in May 2012

Red Mangrove has purchased 20 acres of land on Santa Cruz Island, land which was designated for human settlement, adjacent to the Galapagos National Park. Almost 97% (approximately 4897 sq. miles) of land in the Galapagos is designated National Park, whilst the remaining 3% (approximately 100 sq. miles) is reserved for human settlements on four islands. Of the colonized area, almost 50% is on Santa Cruz alone, which puts huge pressure on the islands natural resources. According to Hernan Rodas, visionary founder and owner, the purchase of the land to create the Red Mangrove Tortuga Reserve, which may otherwise have been purchased to build another Hotel or houses, is a necessary step in the preservation of the threatened Galapagos giant tortoise. At present the site harbors 30 to 40 giant tortoise, and the creation of the Reserve will allow these reptiles to continue to roam free and unobstructed. The reserve will have a low environmental impact with the only buildings being Restroom facilities and a rain shelter. The Red Mangrove Tortuga Reserve will not be open to the general public, but only guests staying at Red Mangrove properties may enter and walk the grassy trails on the 20 acre Reserve. “This reduced traffic and development will limit any impact on the tortoises and their environment,” said Rodas, underscoring that conservation is the top priority. Red Mangrove seeks to build alliances with local conservation organizations and the national park for the greatest benefit to the species

The name Galapagos comes from the Spanish word for tortoise. Early explorers would have witnessed the species in numbers of over 250,000 in the 16th century. By the 1970s the number had dropped to around 3,000 and the species is classified “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These reptiles weigh up to 880 pounds and in the wild can live for over a century.

Red Mangrove Galapagos is a locally owned Hospitality Company, committed to sustainable development, whilst delivering responsible tourism adventure activities for total guest satisfaction, having pioneered a land based multi-island alternative to exploring the Galapagos Islands, previously a cruise-only destination.