The native animal species of Galapagos face serious pressures, with many endemic species being in decline. They are threatened by destruction of their habitat and especially by the host of animal and plant species that humans have introduced, voluntarily or involuntarily, to the islands.
Animal species at risk include mangrove finches, which have populations of less than 1,000 individual birds and a limited range restricted to Isabela Island. These and other endemic birds of Galapagos need careful conservation, as they are especially vulnerable to such threats as the loss of habitat, the increasingly frequent fluctuations in local climate, and the introduction to Galapagos of predators, competitors and new diseases.
"Lonesome George", the sole remaining Pinta tortoise is a clear example of the historical devastation caused to Galapagos Islands, where early visitors to the islands hunted giant tortoises from some islands to a critically endangered level, or even to extinction. The effect on tortoise populations is amplified by the ongoing devastation caused by invasive species such as goats and rats.
Eradication and control programs for invasive species are underway, supported by the CDF and the Galapagos National Park Service. These complement restoration and conservation projects to preserve the remaining native and endemic animals of Galapagos.
In the Galapagos Marine Reserve, overfishing and illegal fishing practices to fill lucrative international markets place immense pressures on marine resources and ecosystems. Scientific research by CDF scientists will hopefully define the limits that the marine ecosystems can withstand, allowing policies to be developed to suit both fisheries and to preserve the delicate balance of marine life.
CDF Fact sheets on animals at risk in Galapagos
Mangrove finch
Waved albatross
Galapagos penguin
Galapagos petrel
Pinta tortoise
Santa Fé land iguana
Rice rats
Land snails
Sea cucumbers
Sharks