ECUADOREAN HELICOPTER HOLDS TORTOISES IN A NET, 1998-10-02 (photo)

An Ecuadorean army helicopter carries tortises in a net during the rescue of giant tortises from the Isabella Island of the Galapagos Island chain, on October 1. Galapagos National Park personnel and the Ecuadorean army established the "Tortuga" operation, to rescue a unique class of tortises called the "Aplastadas" from the area around the erupting Ecuadorean volcano Cerro Azul. The operation rescued only eleven, but they will continue trying to rescue nine more by the sea. The volcano started to erupt September 15, and still continues sending lava out. GG/JDP