FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY

Congratulations to Sol, age 10 from Shrewsbury UK, who is the winner of the Darwin Doodle competition. Sol has won a trip for him and his family to the Galápagos Islands! 🦎🏖️ Thank you to @thejoewhale for judging the competition.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated! With over 250 fantastic entries, the creativity was truly inspiring.

Check out all the amazing doodle entries via the link in our bio.

#darwin200 #competition #doodle #doodlecompetition #art #creative

⛵ Join us TODAY for our next World’s Most Exciting Classroom Episode 34: Live from the #Galapagos. This is a free online event for all to enjoy. Join us at 2pm UK time and 9am ET time.

Tune in live or afterwards via the YouTube link in our bio.

We have a jam-packed program:

– The Oosterschelde has just arrived in the Galapagos Islands! We’ll have a live uplink from the ship with one of the camera crew.

– Expedition leader Stewart McPherson will join us from the Galapagos where he has been exploring the last week to share his experiences on these incredible islands.

– See this week’s new experiment and undertake the challenge in your classroom or at home.

– Join a Kahoot quiz and live Q&A session!

and much more

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to explore one of the world’s most fascinating locations from the comfort of your own home!

Catch up on last week’s thrilling journey as we voyaged to the Galapagos Islands via the YouTube link in our bio.

#darwin200 #worldsmostexcitingclassroom #oosterschelde #liveevent #freeevent #freeonlineevent #educationalevent #nature #sailing

Species Spotlight: Short-Finned Pilot Whales 🐋🌊

Discover the fascinating world of the short-finned pilot whale, a remarkable marine mammal known for its intelligence, social structure, and deep diving capabilities. Here’s what makes these whales so unique:

1. Strong Family Bonds: Short-finned pilot whales thrive in tightly knit pods, often consisting of up to 100 members. These groups are not just large; they are deeply connected, demonstrating strong familial ties and cooperative behaviours that are essential for their survival.

2. Masters of the Depths: These whales are exceptional divers, capable of reaching depths exceeding 2,000 metres (about 6,600 feet). This ability allows them to hunt deep-sea prey like squid and various fish, showcasing their adaptation to the ocean’s most challenging environments.

3. Intelligent and Adaptive: Short-finned pilot whales are not only smart but also cultural beings. They pass down critical knowledge and behaviours through generations, with calves learning by mimicking older whales, which helps them develop vital survival skills.

4. Communication Experts: Known for their complex vocalisations, short-finned pilot whales use a variety of clicks, whistles, and calls. These sounds are crucial for pod communication, maintaining group cohesion, and navigating the expansive ocean.

5. Wide-Ranging Wanderers: Inhabiting both temperate and tropical waters, short-finned pilot whales are truly global nomads. They are commonly found in deep waters but occasionally venture closer to coastlines in search of food and favourable environmental conditions.

6. Threats and Conservation: Despite their widespread distribution, short-finned pilot whales face numerous threats from human activities, such as entanglement in fishing gear, marine pollution, and habitat disturbance. Conservation efforts are vital.

What would species would you like to see featured in our Species Spotlight series? Tell us below 👇🏼

📸 Lorimer Macandrew, Iro Tsarmpopoulou-Fokianou, Francis Peres & Josh Clarkes

#darwin200 #oosterschelde #SpeciesSpotlight #ShortFinnedPilotWhales #OceanWonders #MarineLife #Conservation #DeepSea #MarineBiology #SaveOurOceans

Words of wisdom from Charles Darwin: `The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.`🌿 There`s just a few days left until we set foot where Darwin himself made history in the Galapagos Islands. We`re eagerly anticipating immersing ourselves in the wonder of the islands` animals and nature. Don`t miss out on this incredible stop in our global voyage—make sure to follow along for all the updates!🐢

Let`s honour his legacy by cherishing and protecting our planet`s incredible biodiversity. 💚

#darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #DarwinQuotes #NatureLovers #CherishLife #thegalapagosislands

As we countdown to our arrival at the mesmerising Galapagos Islands, here’s a fascinating fact: Did you know the islands are home to majestic giant tortoises that can live for well over a century? Our excitement is mounting as we prepare to walk in the footsteps of the legendary Charles Darwin, whose observations here revolutionised our understanding of life on Earth.

Keep following us for daily doses of Darwin content as we approach the shores that once inspired evolutionary breakthroughs. 🐢🌎

#Darwin200 #GalapagosTrivia #NatureLovers #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #galapagos #thegalapagosislands

🌊DARWIN200 is proud to have participated in the Our Ocean Conference that took place in Greece this week @ourocean2024, as part of the “Waves of Cinema: A Festival of Oceanic Films.”

Our Darwin Leaders, Iro Tsarmpopoulou-Fokianou, Nicholas Marin, and Luca Vincent represented us brilliantly, showcasing their individual projects on marine species and sharing the inspiring story of DARWIN200’s journey retracing Charles Darwin’s path on HMS Beagle.

🌟 It was an honor for our team to meet influential figures in marine conservation, including our esteemed Darwin Patron, Sylvia Earle. Their insights and dedication to the ocean are truly motivating.

🐋 Highlighting the event, our Tenerife Darwin Leader, Iro, presented the compelling documentary “Guanches of the Sea: The Pilot Whales of Tenerife,” co-created with film maker Lorimer Macandrew. This film, offering a deep dive into the lives of Tenerife’s pilot whales, ignited important discussions on ocean conservation effort.

Additionally, Luca Vincent and Filmmaker Jordan Conroy’s movie “The Guiana Dolphin’s world of sound” was screened at the Our Oceans Filmfestival. A documentary on the endemic dolphin species of Brazil and their vulnerability to anthropogenic noise pollution.

🌍 Together, we are committed to advancing marine conservation and inspiring change.

📸 @nicomarinb

#OurOceanGreece #OurOcean2024 #JoinTheAlliance #SaveTheOcean #MarineConservation #Darwin200 #GuanchesOfTheSea #DARWIN200 #oosterschelde

🌟 Join us for the next episode of the World’s Most Exciting Classroom! TODAY with @ebtsoyp 🌍✨

📅 TODAY, Thursday, 11th April at 2pm UK time/9am Eastern time

🎥 Tune in live or catch up afterwards via the link in our bio.

🚢 Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store:

Explore the adventures of the Oosterschelde as it sets sail from Ecuador to the Galapagos!

Hear firsthand from Joe about his thrilling journey along the coast of Peru onboard the ship.

Dive into the fascinating wildlife and natural history of the Enchanted Isles, gearing up for the Galapagos!

Get ready for a new experiment and take on our weekly challenge.

Test your knowledge with a Kahoot quiz and participate in a live Q&A session!

Can you guess what our Curiosity of the Week is? 🤔

…and that’s just the beginning! 🌟

#ExcitingClassroom #GalapagosAdventure #darwin200 #worldsmostexcitingclassroom #oosterschelde #freelearning #onlineeducation

Species Spotlight: Chilean Flamingo 🦩

Meet the elegant and captivating Chilean Flamingo, a true icon of the South American wetlands! 🌿

📍 Habitat: Found primarily in the wetlands, mudflats, and shallow lakes of South America, particularly in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru.

🎨 Distinctive Features: Recognised by its striking pink plumage, long neck, and characteristic curved beak. The Chilean Flamingo sports vibrant pink feathers, which derive from the pigments in the algae and crustaceans they consume.

🍽️ Diet: Their diet mainly consists of algae, diatoms, small crustaceans, and aquatic insects. Their specialized beaks are perfectly adapted for filter-feeding in shallow waters.

🌐 Social Structure: These graceful birds are highly social creatures, often forming large colonies during breeding season. Their colonies can comprise thousands of individuals, creating a spectacular sight against the wetland landscape.

🥚 Breeding: Chilean Flamingos typically breed in colonies, constructing cone-shaped mud nests in shallow waters. Both parents take turns incubating the single egg, and once hatched, the chick is cared for by both parents.

🔊 Vocalisation: Known for their noisy and melodious calls, Chilean Flamingos communicate through a variety of vocalisations, including honks, grunts, and trumpeting sounds.

👀 Conservation Status: While the Chilean Flamingo is currently classified as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN Red List, habitat loss, pollution, and disturbance to breeding sites pose significant threats to their populations.

Did you know that the coloration of a flamingo’s feathers is influenced by its diet? Their pink hue is a result of pigments called carotenoids found in their food, particularly in algae and crustaceans.

📸 @joshclarkephotos

#darwin200 #oosterschelde #SpeciesSpotlight #ChileanFlamingo #ConservationAwareness

Happy Birthday to DARWIN200 patron: Dr Jane Goodall. 🎉 Join us in celebrating Dr. Jane Goodall`s 90th Birthday! As a true pioneer in primatology, conservation, and environmental activism, Jane`s impact on our world is immeasurable. 💚 As a key patron of DARWIN200, Jane`s dedication to safeguarding our planet`s ecosystems has inspired countless individuals globally. 🌍 Jane`s passion and tireless advocacy continues to shape a brighter future for conservation. Thank you, Jane, for your remarkable contributions to science and humanity! #darwin200 #DARWIN200 #janegoodall #HappyBirthdayJaneGoodall #ConservationChampion #Darwin200HonoursJane

Get ready to embark on another thrilling journey with our World`s Most Exciting Classroom! Join us for our next episode airing live on Thursday, March 28th at 1pm UK time/9am Eastern time. 🌍✨

Don`t miss out! Tune in via: Darwin200 YouTube page at the start time or anytime afterwards or via the link in our bio.

What`s in store for this weeks episode:

🔍 We`ll be joined by Rosa Vasquez Espinoza, a Peruvian Chemical Biologist, National Geographic Explorer, educator, conservationist, and award-winning artist. She`ll be sharing her extraordinary work with MicroAmazon, delving into the microscopic universe of extreme environments and unique animals in the Amazon Rainforest. Learn about her exploration of the Boiling River and the incredible creatures that inhabit its dangerous waters.

🌧️ Discover the results of our Making a Cloud in a Jar Experiment.

🤔 Test your knowledge! Did you guess correctly what last weeks Curiosity of the Week was?

🎓 Engage in a Kahoot Quiz with your class after tuning into the recording.

Please note: This week`s event will be prerecorded as our host will be in the Peruvian Amazon without connectivity. But fear not, the excitement continues!

Don`t miss out on this captivating episode. Mark your calendars, spread the word, and let`s embark on another unforgettable journey together!

#WorldsMostExcitingClassroom #DARWIN200 #adventureawaits

✨ Join us TODAY for the next episode of the World`s Most Exciting Classroom at 1pm UK time / 9am eastern time! 🌍📚

🎥 Tune in live via the link in our bio.

We have an exciting line-up this week for you to enjoy;

🛳️ Embark on a virtual journey as we sail from Valparaíso, Chile to Callao, Peru! Experience the live uplink from the ship as we kick things off.

🌳 Venture to a field station in the Peruvian Amazon and meet Ruth Pillco Huarcaya. Discover the amazing conservation work she`s doing with the Andean Bear, an emblematic species of the region.

🦢 Join Darwin Leader Karinne Tennenbaum as she shares her experience working on a shorebird conservation project in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Chile.

Don`t miss out on this jam-packed program filled with adventure, education, and conservation insights! See you there! 🌟

#darwin200 #oosterschelde #onlineevent #freeevent #ExcitingClassroom #VirtualLearning #ConservationEducation

Living on a ship is very unique. It becomes you and your crew mates own little planet leaving you to almost forget about the outside world.

Want to live on this ship?

Visit the link in our bio to see how you can join.

📸 @tomdixonfilm

#darwin200 #oosterschelde #Darwin200 #TallShipVoyage #SailingAdventure #HistoricJourney #Circumnavigation #CharlesDarwin #ExploreTheWorld #JoinTheCrew #AdventureAwaits #SailingExperience

Embarking from Valparasio Harbour on Wednesday, we raised our sails, commencing our voyage to Callao spanning over 1,000 miles. 🌊 Despite the challenging waves at the outset, we were fortunate to have the wind on our side, propelling us at speeds of up to 9.5 knots. ⛵️

#Darwin200 #Oosterschelde #Sailing #GlobalVoyage

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