The species used to be widespread on Espanola Island, but in the 1960s only 15 individuals were left, and they all lived in captivity. Captive breeding is a complex program that involves repatriating tortoises to Espanola Island from breeding centers, where they were raised and hatched. The tortoises undergo a strict quarantine before they are transported to the island. They are selected according to their age, size and health. The tortoises will be released in carefully chosen areas on Espanola that have suitable habitat conditions. The microchips are regularly checked and the health of the tortoises is ensured.
Washington Tapia is our expert on tortoises and the General Director of Conservando Galápagos. He says that the tortoise population of Espanola was — and continues to be — an important element in the restoration of the island’s ecology, since their presence helps restore ecological processes including the nesting by one of the archipelago’s endemic species, the Waved Albatross. The giant tortoises, with their enormous bodies and voracious appetites clear woody vegetation out of areas where albatrosses land and take off. These runways are essential for nesting.
Galapagos Conservancy played a vital role in supporting the restoration program. They provided funding and expertise over the past 10 years, which helped ensure its success. The world’s greatest conservation success story is about to reach a successful conclusion with the repatriation of the last captive-reared turtles to the island. 86 of them were recently released. The return of the Espanola giant tortoise to their natural habitat is proof of the conservation efforts that are being made to preserve the Galapagos biodiversity for future generations.
Park Rangers loading tortoises onto the helicopter which transported them to Española Island. ©Galápagos National Park
A lot is at stake. Galapagos’ biodiversity-based economy, and the communities that depend on it, are dependent on protecting its species. Ecotourism, which generates about one billion dollars per year in revenue, is the main economic activity of Galapagos. It relies on the health of the unique wildlife of the archipelago.
Iniciativa Galapagos focuses on conserving native species and endangered giant tortoises. Our efforts are urgent because five species of tortoise are on the verge of critical danger, three face imminent peril and five have been classified as Vulnerable. We can help these animals and Galapagos biodiversity by restoring the islands and ecosystems. Effective conservation requires collaboration with governments, organisations, and local communities. Action must be taken immediately.
Top endangered species on the Galapagos Islands
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Galapagos Giant Tortoises (Chelonoidis spp.)
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Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus)
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Galapagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki).
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Flightless Cormorant, Phalacrocorax Harrissi
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Waved Albatross
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Mangrove Finch
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Pink Iguanas (Conolophus Marthae).
Top endangered species on the Galapagos Islands
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Galapagos Giant Tortoises (Chelonoidis spp.)
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Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus)
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Galapagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki).
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Flightless Cormorant, Phalacrocorax Harrissi
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Waved Albatross
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Mangrove Finch
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Pink Iguanas (Conolophus Marthae).
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Galápagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) ©Joshua Vela
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Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata) ©Joshua Vela
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Pink Iguana (Conolophus marthae) ©Joshua Vela
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Galápagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) ©Joshua Vela
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Flightless Cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi) ©Joshua Vela
Our Director of Conservation Dr. Jorge Carrion said, “We are proud to participate in the effort to restore Floreana Island’s ecosystem.”
The Genetic Mystery of Floreana Tortoises
Since the early 1800s, whalers have been hunting this giant tortoise in Floreana. It has now been declared extinct. Recent research has revealed that individuals on Isabela Island’s Wolf Volcano have genes of the extinct species. This surprising discovery could be explained by the fact that Floreana Tortoises were released in this region or abandoned by whalers.
Between 2015 and 2017 a dozen Wolf Volcano Tortoises, with the help of Galapagos Conservancy were moved for genetic research. This sampling revealed 19 hybrids with genetic descent from the Floreana original species. A breeder program was launched in 2017 with the hope of restoring this species to its native island.
Reintroducing Endemic Species
This project will begin in 2024 and not just focus on tortoises. The project will also introduce 12 other species which have gone extinct in Floreana. These include vegetarian finches and sharp-beaked ground finch, as well as large ground finch, gray warblers large tree finches vermilion flycatchers Galapagos mockingbirds lava gulls barn owls Galapagos Hawks Galapagos Flycatchers and snakes.
Prior to reintroduction of the Floreana Island species, introduced species will be tackled. This includes rodents, cats and other species that pose significant threats. It is vital to the success of this project that these introduced species are eradicated.
Over 300 tortoises, bearing genes from the original species of Floreana Island, are currently under specialized care at the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center in Santa Cruz. This is to ensure their well-being and ready them for reintroduction to Floreana. ©Galápagos Conservancy
A Promising Future for Floreana
This majestic bird, the Galápagos hawk, which disappeared from Floreana Island, will soon be reintroduced.
Its role is vital in the ecosystem, regulating prey populations and maintaining ecological balance. ©Galápagos Conservancy
Galapagos National Park Directorate took immediate action in response to the alarming discovery that marine birds were infected with avian influenza H5N1 on the Galapagos Islands. They investigated the cause of the disease and protected the unique biodiversity of the region. Three bird specimens tested positive for H5N1 avian flu, prompting immediate measures.
Immediate actions taken
The Galapagos National Park Directorate responded quickly to the discovery and identified the cause. The National Institute of Public Health Research, in Guayaquil, was contacted to validate samples collected from sickly bird.
Biosecurity Measures are Implemented
Galapagos National Park Directorate and the Agency for the Control and Regulation of Biosecurity and Quarantine for Galapagos now have strict biosecurity protocols. Visitors sites that had afflicted bird species, like Genovesa Island or Punta Pitt on San Cristobal Island have been closed. Tour operators were also urged to disinfect outdoor common areas, tender boats, and footwear for tourists who enter and leave visitor sites.
Biosecurity professionals carefully collect samples from a Galápagos booby showing symptoms of avian influenza H5N1, in the ongoing efforts to protect the region’s unique biodiversity from the virus. © Galápagos National Park
Continuous Monitoring
Park rangers, biosecurity agents and other experts are monitoring closely the nesting and habitats of endemic bird species such as Galapagos cormorants and Galapagos Penguins. Tour operators and naturalist guides have been instructed to increase their wildlife observation and report any abnormal behavior via a newly established emergency number.
Public Advisory
Galapagos National Park Directorate issued an urgent warning to the Galapagos Community to avoid handling any sick or dead birds. A specialized team was formed to collect any dead birds and dispose of them according to strict protocol in order prevent the virus spreading.
The Galapagos Conservancy General Director, scientist Washington Tapia is deeply concerned by the arrival in Galapagos of this virus and reaffirms the Conservancy’s commitment to provide support for the implementation measures that minimize the impact of the virus on this unique eco-system. Tapia said, “We’re on constant alert about this issue and have complete confidence in the Galapagos National Park Directorate as well as the Galapagos Biosecurity Agency in their ability to deal with this situation quickly and effectively.”
Trained personnel from the environmental authority closely monitor the birds of Galápagos,
consistently and under strict biosecurity measures. © Galápagos National Park
The Project
This project achieved a number of significant results, including a comprehensive assessment of introduced predators on Floreana. This research has given us a better understanding of the invasive species that are present on Floreana, more than we had on Santa Cruz. Sonia Kleindorfer of the University of Vienna says that in one year, 2022, at least twice as much introduced rats (Crotophaga anis) and smooth-billed anis were seen on Floreana than in other places, along with a greater population of Galapagos Short-Eared Owls (Asio flameus galapagoensis).
The findings of this research, together with the previous research that revealed a 90 percent failure rate in reproduction among Floreana bird species, provide a baseline for monitoring predator activities. These findings also emphasize the need for effective control measures in order to deal with the abundance of predators on Floreana.
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A second striking observation was the presence of yellow warblers on Floreana (Dendroica aureola petechia), even though there had been very little rain and Darwin’s Finch nesting. These birds, which are hardy and have a melodious song, showed active nesting behaviors. They became the primary hosts for the avian vampirism fly (Philornis Downsi), a serious danger to native bird populations. The study, in response to these concerns, promotes specific strategies for eradicating P. downsi. These include dispensers of permethrin treated feathers and insect-growth regulators. These innovative approaches have been particularly effective in dry years. It is also important to note that they can be perfectly timed with the nesting period of yellow warblers which is usually January to February.
Scientist Washington Tapia is our General Director. He stressed that the findings of this study are crucial in guiding conservation efforts. He stated, “We reaffirm that we are committed to supporting research projects which contribute to the conservation and preservation of Galapagos species as well as the ecosystems in which they live.”
Galapagos Conservancy wishes to congratulate the scientists of the University of Vienna for their contributions, which remind us that science can be used as a tool not only to gain knowledge but also in order to ensure the preservation of Galapagos ecosystems.
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In a year of minimal rainfall, the Yellow Warbler emerges as a beacon of resilience, actively nesting and filling the Galápagos with its melodious tunes, despite the looming threat of the avian vampire fly. ©James Gibbs / Galápagos Conservancy
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This Darwin Finch, compromised by the avian vampire fly, symbolizes the pressing
threats native species encounter in the Galápagos. ©Carolina Loyola
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Background
Three species of Phyllodactylus Geckos — P. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for 2022, three species of Phyllodactylus geckos — P. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022, P. darwini, P. galapagensis and P. This worrying status highlights the need for more data. The IUCN does not have a status for Phyllodactylus simpsoni or P. P. Data Deficient is the classification for baurii due to the limited amount of information available on its population.
Galapagos Conservancy, in response to this, funded a 2022 study led by Dr. Diego F. Cisneros Heredia, a researcher and professor at the University of San Francisco de Quito. The primary objective of the study was to shed more light on Galapagos’ endemic geckos by combining observations from the field with morphological and physiological analyses as well as genetic analyses. It also investigated the behavior of the locals towards these reptiles. The integration of data is crucial for understanding the impact that climate change will have on these species.
The Study
The study included 548 geckos of which 364 are endemic, and 184 are introduced. One notable observation was that native species are more likely to be found in natural ecosystems while introduced species prefer human settlements. The study revealed that endemic gecko prefer warm microhabitats whereas introduced gecko are more flexible in their movement. The study concludes that endemic species are threatened by introduced species, habitat changes and competition. This highlights the importance of effective conservation and education strategies in order to protect the enigmatic creatures.
Washington Tapia Dr., our General Director, stressed the importance of these findings. “This information will guide us in all that we do.” We not only promote our research but also any study that can provide useful data to protect the iconic Galapagos species.
We are committed to this cause at Galapagos Conservancy. We continue to work with institutions like USFQ and Galapagos National Park Directorate to collect vital information and implement specific measures that will ensure the long-term preservation of Galapagos biodiversity.
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The gecko Phyllodactylus reissii is an introduced species that lives on walls and seeks refuge from predators in dry spaces or among wooden furniture. ©Juan Gallardo / Galápagos Conservancy
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It’s common to find geckos inside homes. However, they feed on processed
products and unwanted insects in the household. ©Juan Gallardo / Galápagos Conservancy