GALAPAGOS CONSERVATION

For millions of years the Galapagos Islands went undisturbed by man. Shortly after their discovery in 1535 visitors began to pillage the island's natural resources. Galapagos Tortoises, whales and fur seals were all hunted to near extinction. Plants and animals were introduced to the islands, which changed the natural balance of life and further endangered the native species. In the 1930's, with the advent of William Bebe's book Galapagos the World's End the first laws were passed to protect this area. Unfortunately since there was no enforcement of the laws they had little effect.

Finally in 1959, the 100th anniversary of the publishing of Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species, the first real progress in conservation was made. A non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research and conservation of the islands was established as the Charles Darwin Foundation. The government of Ecuador also established 90% of the islands as the Galapagos National Park the same year. Together they have had an established presence in the islands since the 1960's and are working towards preservation of the Galapagos National Park and Galapagos Marine Reserve.

Human Impact on the Galapagos Islands

The impact of humans on the Galapagos goes back over 400 years. During the 1600's pirates would use the Galapagos as a base from which to attack the Spanish ports and trade routes. During the 1700s and 1800s whaling ships would come to hunt in the rich waters of the Galapagos. Fur Seals were killed for their pelts and tortoises collected for their meat.

During the 1800s and 1900s business ventures began in the Galapagos harvesting lichen, guano and tortoises. During WWII the Galapagos became a secret US Military Base used to defend the Panama Canal.

In the 1960's the Galapagos Islands saw a rise in a new type of visitor, the eco-tourist. As tourism began to increase their presence brought with them new pressures for the islands. Tourism has grown from 40,000 visitors in 1990 to more than 173,000 people a visiting the islands in 2009.

Though measures are in place to protect the environment in the Galapagos, park officials have noted measurable changes due to tourism including decreased flora, measurable increases over the size of marked trails into protected areas as well as the issue of waste disposal.

To support the growing tourism industry in the Galapagos Islands, the Galapagos Islands has been seen as a modern day El Dorado offering economic growth, plenty of work opportunities, and higher salaries for those people on the than on the mainland. As a result the population growth in the settlement areas is astronomical and land prices have soared. The resident population has doubled and as of 2007 the population estimates were 24,000 legal residents lived in Galapagos, 1,800 temporary residents lived in the islands and 5,000 people resided there without proper permits.

In 2007 President Correa has put the conservation of Galapagos as a national priority. The government is now monitoring the immigration of all those who enter the Galapagos. In December 2007 the government began removing people from the islands who did not have proper documentation.

Yet there continues to be problems with wealthy individuals from the mainland without residency in Galapagos buying land to build "homes" which were actually built to operate, as hotels without proper permits, permissions or surveys as to the effect the construction will have on the precious eco-system.

Introduced Species

The Galapagos Island's unique ecosystem is based on the lack of competition that some plants and animals have received over millions of years. The lack of predatory mammals has allowed tortoises to rule the islands. Since humans began arriving in the Galapagos, they have brought with them plants and animals that did not occur there previously.

Herbivores, like goats, compete for the little available food with tortoises and land iguanas making it so there is not enough food to support the native creatures.

Pigs and goats destroy nests and eat bird and reptile eggs. Wild dogs have attacked colonies of land iguanas on Santa Cruz and Isabela for sport, killing hundreds of iguanas and leaving them to rot.

Introduced plants have spread through the islands competing with the native plants for nutrients. Guava seeds have been planted around the islands by the introduced cattle and quinine seeds by the wind. Many of the native plants like scalesia and miconia are endangered from the introduced plants. Introduced pests are causing high mortality rates in many bird species, putting several like the mangrove finch at risk of extinction.

The national park service is working to eradicate the introduced species and restrict the import of new species. Park officials and various ships' crewmembers organize hunting parties to eradicate goats, cats, dogs, and pigs. Visitors are asked not to bring anything onto the island in an effort control the introduction. They are also asked to wash their feet when returning to the boat in order to control the spreading of organisms between islands.

Restoring Endangered Species

One of the most successful programs to date has been that of restoring the native populations. Captive breeding and rearing programs have been enacted. These programs, combined with the eradication of the introduced species, have led to a dramatic turn around in several of the islands species.

Land iguanas were nearly extinct on Santa Cruz and Isabela a captive breeding program has allowed hundreds of young iguanas to be reintroduced to both islands. That project, teamed with the eradication of cats and dogs in the region, has allowed the land iguana population to bounce back.

Miraculously a third male was discovered at the San Diego Zoo and brought to the Darwin Station to join the others in a captive breeding program. These 13 tortoises are the parents of over 1000 young tortoises now roam free on Española.

Read more about the Restoration of Galapagos Tortoises on our Blog The Evolution of Extinction

Organizations Helping to Conserve the Galapagos Islands

World Wildlife Fund
Sea Shepherd
Darwin Foundation
Wild Aid
Galapagos Conservation Trust (UK)