Radiolab – “Galapagos” (July 17, 2014)
Summary by WNYC Studios | Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich
Episode Overview
This episode of Radiolab takes listeners to the Galapagos Islands, exploring the tension between human activity and conservation in one of the world’s most biologically iconic and fragile places. Using a mix of first-person travelogue, story-driven science, and historical investigation, hosts and guests dive deep into the question: As our world fills up, can we preserve or restore nature in its “purest” form—or do we have to accept and manage change?
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Arrival and Reality of the Galapagos
- Tim Howard's Journey: Tim Howard, Radiolab’s producer, lands on the Galapagos for his honeymoon expecting untouched wilderness but is surprised by the bustling town and political activity.
- “My first hours in Galapagos were totally different than I was expecting.” – Tim (07:02)
- Election Rally: He encounters an election parade and speaks with Leonidas, a naturalist guide and outsider political candidate, who fears that unchecked development (“more big hotels, more people”) threatens nature’s future on the islands.
2. Pristine Nature vs. Human Impact
- Early Galapagos described by scientists (Linda Cayot, Matthias Espinoza) as “magical”—rich with life, vivid landscapes, and iconic creatures.
- Tim’s firsthand encounter with giant tortoises highlights their otherworldly presence and their ecological significance.
- “They’re like the size of… jeez, I don’t even know what. They’re massive. They look like they would crush you to death.” – Tim (24:20)
3. The Goat Eradication Saga
- Goats, introduced by whalers centuries ago, devastate native vegetation and tortoise habitats.
- Project Isabella: Massive conservation effort to remove 100,000 goats from Isabella Island using helicopters and marksmen.
- “It’s relatively easy to remove 90% of a goat population from an island. But as they become rarer and rarer, they’re harder and harder to detect.” – Josh Donlan (44:07)
- Judas Goats: Sterilized goats with radio collars are released to betray remaining wild goats by leading sharpshooters to them.
- “Everyone gets shot except the Judas goat.” – Fraser Sutherland (46:40)
- Ecological results: rapid recovery of tortoise habitat; re-emergence of native plants and the restoration of critical “drip pools” essential for tortoises.
4. Conflict with Local Communities
- Conservation actions, like limiting sea cucumber fishing, spark violent protests among locals who see their livelihoods threatened.
- “They would come down the street throwing rocks and sticks and everything... and they even killed dozens of tortoises, slitting their throats.” – Paul Watson (59:32)
- Economic pressures shift as many fishermen transition into tourism, reducing direct conflict but leaving deep questions about local participation in conservation.
5. Restoring the Lost Tortoise: Lonesome George and the Question of Purity
- On Pinta Island, the last known native tortoise, “Lonesome George,” is discovered in 1972. Decades-long efforts to breed him fail, leading to intense debates about de-extinction, conservation, and genetic “purity.”
- “Shoot that tortoise and quit wasting our time.” – Perry Green, recalling a frustrated scientist (01:14:27)
- Two conservation philosophies emerge:
- Eden Approach: Attempts to restore pre-human ecosystems.
- Pragmatic Approach: Accepts losing some species and managing ecosystems with human intervention.
- “We’re God, we might as well get good at it.” – Holly Doremus (01:16:07)
- After George’s death in 2012, biologist Gisella Caccone proposes the “Phoenix Project”—using tortoises on another island with Pinta DNA to selectively breed new “Pinta-like” tortoises, a process that could take generations.
6. Invasive Species: The Finch Crisis
- Henk Jaeger and Arno Cimadom highlight how tourists unwittingly bring invasive plant seeds stuck on shoes and clothing, resulting in altered plant communities along every trail.
- The deadly Philornis downsi fly, likely introduced accidentally, kills the vast majority of baby finches by invading their nostrils, causing up to 95% nestling mortality.
- “A little hole into the brain of this little finch… they ate the whole back of this little finch.” – Tim & Piedad Lincango (01:33:31)
- Scientists scramble for solutions: pheromone traps, sterile insect technique, but face technical and logistical barriers.
7. Witnessing Evolution in Real-Time
- As finch populations crash, unexpected hybridization blurs species lines—potentially allowing hybrids to survive the parasite onslaught better than parent species.
- “If the hybrids do have a fitness advantage and if they survive, we may be witnessing in hyperspeed the creation of an entirely new species.” – Sonia Kleindorfer (01:47:00)
- The process mirrors Darwin’s original insight: evolution is ceaseless, unpredictable, and shaped by constant change.
8. Hope and Moving Forward
- Closing interview with Leonidas—a defeated (yet optimistic) candidate—marks hope for nature’s voice gaining traction in local politics.
- “So nature has a voice now—the sea lion has a voice in us; the tortoise has a voice in us.” – Leonidas (01:54:09)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “What if in fact life is purely change? What if everything has been changing all the time?” – Narration (15:37)
- “The ideal Judas goat… would never get pregnant.” – Carl Campbell (49:00)
- On goat eradication: “You do that every two weeks for a year. Oh my God. It’s like having a pogrom on you over and over again.” – Tim/Jad (48:43)
- “We’re radically remaking the world, and the question is, what’s our responsibility?” – Holly Doremus (01:16:56)
- “Eventually, nature’s going to take over and they will evolve into pinta tortoises.” – Linda Cayot (01:25:43)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00–07:15 – Tim Howard arrives in Galapagos; expectations vs. modern reality.
- 08:05–15:30 – History and ecology of the Islands; introduction of tortoises and evolutionary insights.
- 23:00–49:00 – The goat invasion and Project Isabella; Judas goats and restoration of native forests.
- 56:30–01:04:00 – Human conflict: fishermen vs. conservationists.
- 01:06:00–01:17:00 – Lonesome George and debates over conservation purity.
- 01:22:00–01:28:00 – Using selective breeding to revive lost tortoise genetics (“Phoenix Project”).
- 01:29:00–01:48:00 – Invasive plants and the finch crisis; hybridization as hope.
- 01:54:00–End – Leonidas’s post-election reflections; final thoughts on the future of conservation and change in Galapagos.
Tone and Style
The episode balances wonder, humor, and deep concern. Through evocative storytelling (“magical, magical area”), wry asides, and emotional interviews, the hosts and guests draw listeners into the complexities, heartbreaks, and strange hope at the heart of Galapagos’ ongoing transformation.
Summary: For the Listener
“Galapagos” asks if pure, untouched nature can exist in a human age—or if we must adapt (like the finches) to the new reality our presence creates. From tortoise resurrection to fighting parasitic flies, the episode explores where the line between protection and intervention lies. It’s a story of continuous change—with occasional triumphs, persistent losses, and the stubborn voice of nature, always adapting alongside us.