When CNH Tours published its first news item in September 2010, we did not set out to create an extensive historical record. We simply wanted to share developments that mattered to travellers and to the people who care about the remarkable places we visit.

More than 15 years later, our news archive contains 642 articles. Together, they form an unusually detailed chronicle of Galápagos life: scientific discoveries, volcanic eruptions, conservation successes, political controversies, wildlife trafficking cases, changes in tourism and the occasional wonderfully eccentric island story. More recently, the archive has expanded to include Antarctica, the Arctic, Madagascar, the Pantanal, Easter Island and the Okavango–Kalahari region.

Choosing only a few highlights is nearly impossible, but the following stories illustrate the variety contained in the archive.

“Near Extinct Mockingbird to Be Re-introduced” — 2010
One of our earliest reports followed efforts to return the Floreana mockingbird—one of the birds that helped stimulate Darwin’s thinking about evolution—to its former home. It captured a recurring theme in our reporting: extinction is not always inevitable when determined people intervene.

“Smuggling of Marine Iguanas Thwarted by K-9 Corps” — 2010
A trained detection dog helped expose an attempt to smuggle marine iguanas from the islands. Sadly, wildlife trafficking has remained a recurring subject, making this early article as relevant today as when it was published.

“Largest Rat Eradication in South America—Ever!” — 2011
The removal of invasive rats from Galápagos islands ranks among the archipelago’s most ambitious conservation undertakings. The scale of the operation offered an extraordinary glimpse into the practical realities of restoring an island ecosystem.

“Flying Galápagos Penguins Captured on Video!” — 2011
Not every memorable story needs to concern a crisis. This delightfully improbable headline introduced footage of penguins “in full flight” — an irresistible reminder that natural history can be both serious and joyful.

“CNH Guests Enjoy Extremely Rare Swim with Whales” — 2012
Travellers aboard the Samba experienced an exceptional encounter near seldom-visited Marchena Island. It was the kind of spontaneous wildlife moment that no itinerary can guarantee—and that no participant is likely to forget.

“Polynesian Invasion?” — 2012
This wonderfully quirky article revisited Thor Heyerdahl’s search for evidence of pre-Columbian visitors to Galápagos—and the story of Floreana residents who carved a fake “ancient” stone face to test the famous explorer’s credulity.

“Icon of Conservation—Lonesome George Dies” — 2012
The death of Lonesome George marked the extinction of the Pinta Island giant tortoise lineage and became one of the most widely recognized conservation stories of modern times. Our archive recorded the event..

“German Iguana Smuggler Gets Four Years!” — 2013
This report followed a rare case in which wildlife trafficking resulted in a substantial prison sentence. It demonstrated that protecting Galápagos requires not only science and park management, but also effective policing and courts.

“Spectacular Eruption on Wolf Volcano” — 2015
Galápagos was born of fire and continues to be shaped by it. The eruption of Wolf Volcano was scientifically fascinating and visually spectacular, while also raising concerns for the rare pink land iguanas and giant tortoises living on its slopes.

“Massive Eruption on Isabela Island!” — 2018
Our report on the eruption of Sierra Negra conveyed the immediacy of events unfolding in real time: messages from naturalist guides, seismic readings and rapidly arriving confirmation that one of the world’s great volcanoes had awakened.

“Wolf Volcano: Still Going Strong After Two Months” — 2022
Most Galápagos eruptions last only days or weeks. Wolf Volcano’s prolonged 2022 eruption offered readers a chance to follow the geological evolution of the islands almost as it occurred.

“When the K-9 Unit Crashes a Meeting…” — 2026
At a Charles Darwin Foundation meeting, specially trained dogs made an unexpected appearance. Their work had helped intercept marine iguanas and thousands of shark fins—a striking combination of conservation science, criminal investigation and canine talent.

These twelve articles represent only a small fraction of the archive. Others document tsunamis, El Niño events, newly recorded species, conservation disputes, remarkable animal behaviour, tourism policy and the daily challenges of safeguarding globally important natural places.

Taken together, the 642 stories reflect something we have always believed: meaningful travel begins with curiosity. A destination is more than a collection of attractive visitor sites. It is a living place, shaped by wildlife, geology, history, science, politics and the people working to protect it.

We are proud to have shared these stories since 2010—and we look forward to publishing many more.

 

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