Pupils at St John of Beverley RC Primary School were visited by a naturalist from the Galapagos Islands and a local reptile expert who took along a host of reptiles including real-life tortoises.

The children learned about the islands’ unique wildlife and the conservation issues surrounding the archipelago by taking part in a variety of activities, including writing poems, designing conservation posters and a fossil study of how plants and animals have evolved.

The day of learning and discovery was organised in conjunction with the Tortoise Club, a nationwide learning initiative by the Galapagos Conservation Trust, aimed at primary school children to help generate funds and raise awareness of the conservation issues in the Galapagos Islands.

Santiago Bejarano, a naturalist who worked in the archipelago for over 10 years and who organises expeditions to the Galapagos through his Beverley-based company Think Galapagos Ltd, talked to all the classes in the school, providing an insight into the natural history of the islands which inspired Charles Darwin.

The children also got the chance to see real-life tortoises, lizards and snakes thanks to Steven McHugh, from Hull Pets and Gardens, a local reptile specialist who took a selection of the creatures along to the school.

Headteacher Theresa Rogerson said the children had carried out their own research into the Galapagos Islands in preparation for the event.

"They are really excited that our school is adopting some baby tortoises and feel proud that they have the opportunity to help preserve a species that could become extinct were it not protected through effective conservation projects.

“The information provided by the Tortoise Club and the Galapagos Trust has been a great learning tool and has fired their enthusiasm to learn more about our natural world and what can be done to preserve it for future generations,” she said.

Giant tortoises, which are probably the best known of all the Galapagos animals, are under threat in their natural habitat.

Many tortoise species in the Galapagos have only survived because their eggs are taken to the breeding centre at the Charles Darwin Research Station and the babies kept safe until they reach their fourth birthday, when they are returned to the islands.