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Transporting Giant tortoises
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Transporting Giant tortoises
In 1897 Walter Rothschild despatched explorer Charles Harris to the Galapagos islands to collect a large number of giant tortoises, aiming in part to protect them from potential extinction from hunting. Eventually 144 giant tortoises from Galapagos and Aldabra in the Seychelles ended up at Rothschild home grounds of Tring Park. The method of transporting the tortoises across the islands to the boats is shown here. Date: 1897
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Media ID 14239580
© Mary Evans / Natural History Museum
1897 Archive Captive Chelonoidis Collecting Cryptodira Galapagos Galapagos Archipelago Galapagos Islands Giant Tortoise Harris Hauling Lionel Rothschild Lionel Walter Rothschild Lord Lionel Walter Rothschild Pole Reptile Reptilia Rothschild Sauropsid Sauropsida Staff Testudines Testudinid Testudinidae Tied Tortoise Transporting Tring Turtle Walter Rothschild Worker Upside Down
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this historic photograph, taken in 1897, we witness a significant moment in the conservation effort for the giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands. Sir Walter Rothschild, a renowned English naturalist and philanthropist, had dispatched explorer Charles Harris to collect a large number of these magnificent creatures, with the aim of protecting them from potential extinction due to hunting. The scene depicts a group of men carefully transporting a giant tortoise across the rugged terrain of the islands. The tortoise, with its massive size and heavy shell, is being lifted and carried using a long pole and ropes. Two men are holding the tortoise's legs, while others support its body from below. The tortoise is upside down, with its feet in the air, making the task even more challenging. The collection of giant tortoises from the Galapagos Islands and Aldabra in the Seychelles eventually totaled 144 individuals, which were transported to Rothschild's home grounds of Tring Park in England. This endeavor was a crucial step in preserving these magnificent creatures, which were facing the threat of extinction due to hunting for their meat and oil. The photograph captures a moment in time during Harris's expedition, showcasing the dedication and hard work of the men involved in the transportation process. The image is a testament to the efforts made during the Victorian era to protect endangered species and contribute to the scientific understanding of the natural world.
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