Unconditional Love

How can a species survive and compete for resources in the wild when their only defense mechanism is playing peek-a-boo? They can’t run, they move very slowly, quite clumsy actually, they can’t really hurt you, they’re not herd animals, they’re not even cute (until you get to know them) so the sympathy card is voided. Yet, here they are: the Giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands. If anything, they are the living proof of the wonders of Mother Nature!

Their secret? longevity, resilience and more…

The age-old children’s story of the hare and the tortoise isn’t far from the truth. While most fast moving species live their lives like a flash in a pan, tortoises are like the wise old witch. They live long enough (up to 150 years) to have seen it all, and know, it’s not worth the hurry. Resilience is key; they can survive up to 1 year without food or water (yup, you read it correctly. 1 year. Not a typo).

While not foolproof, peek-a-boo does work to a large extent. Sadly, humans managed to completely exterminate 3 out of the 15 Giant tortoise sub-species of the Galapagos. As hard as they tried, scientists were not able to get “Solitary George” (Solitario Jorge), the last surviving member of his species, to reproduce. So what to do? The usual: build a memorial. Yeah, that’ll do it. Solitary George’s body was mummified and is on display in a museum on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. Now we feel better!

Like many other species, the Giant tortoises roam freely in the Galapagos Islands. Unlike hares, they’re not good at sudden moves. Drivers can easily see them, anticipate their trajectory and avoid them. Because many human-introduced species proved dangerous to baby tortoises, like dogs, goats, rats and (much to my chagrin) cats, there are now breeding centers on several islands to keep their numbers up. Once they’re 8-10 years old, they’re released into the wild. Several subspecies are recovering.

When I volunteered at San Cristobal tortoise breeding center, I connected with the beauty and cuteness beyond the scaly, reptilian, prehistoric facade. It probably helped that as a child, we had a tortoise as a pet. Their complete trust, surrender and helplessness make anyone with a heart want to help them. I guess in addition to their longevity and resilience, their third superpower is their “damsel in distress” act.

The Iroquois, an indigenous tribe from what is now Ontario, Canada and upstate New York, USA, believed that the Earth is carried on a tortoise back. Reflecting on the superpowers of the Giant tortoises; longevity, resilience and surrender, I can easily see how the same principles define the power of Mother Earth. Choosing the tortoise as Earth shows a deep knowledge of, and connection to Nature. While most creatures on its back are running around thinking they’re ahead, Mother Nature yields and waits. She knows who has the final say. Like the Giant tortoise, Nature uses the power of resilience, surrender and longevity. In Arabic we say تمهل ولا تهمل: “Delays, but doesn’t forget!”

When our egos inflate, and we get high on our power of dominion and control, it’s sobering to remember that we’re just a hare in the big picture and the Earth is carried on the back of a tortoise!

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