Take an optional tour of the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island, where you can observe scientists from all over the world conducting biological research.

BBC: Daily deal: Ecuador and the Galapagos

GARCIA-NAVARRO: Karl Campbell walks around a large kennel containing dozens of highly trained hunting dogs, located at the Charles Darwin Research Station, the main conservation and research body on the islands.

NPR: Common Intruders Threaten Galapagos Species

But despite the best efforts of conservationists -- and the presence of two female giant tortoises from a close subspecies sharing his enclosure at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz -- George remained a solitary creature.

CNN: Lonesome George, last of the Pinta Island tortoises, dies