Pinzon is the
twelfth biggest island in the Galapagos. It is a majestic rock
formation covering 7.0 square
miles (18 square kilometers) and rises to 1,502 feet (458
meters). Its official name comes from the
two brothers who captained Columbus' ships, the Pinta and Niña.
The English called it Duncan after a naval admiral.
Pinzon marks
the geographical center of the Galapagos Islands so it is
surprising that none of the Galapagos' two main tree species
grow on the island. A unique species of
the daisy tree (Scalesia sp.) can be found in the humid
zone. Pinzon supports
its own unique race of Galapagos tortoise, which appears to be
in good shape despite predation of hatchlings by rats preventing
growth of the population. Reintroduction of young tortoises from
the breeding program at the Charles Darwin Research Station has
resulted in restoration of breeding there and hopefully the
continuation of the tortoise for the indefinite future.
