12 Galapagos Native Species of Birds and Turtles Slated for Rewilding in $3.4M Reintroduction Project

The Galapagos archipelago island, where Charles Darwin formulated his theory of evolution, has lost 12 endemic bird and turtle species.

The Ecuadorian government has declared it will invest $3.4 million to reintroduce these species.

Reintroduction Project in Ecuador

The environment ministry announced late Saturday that the project, which will be sponsored by grants and government funds, will also work to eradicate invasive cats and rats from the island of Floreana.

Through the effort, which is set to begin in January, the government also aims to return giant turtles, vermillion flycatchers, barn owls, lava gulls, Galapagos hawks, and vegetarian finches.

There are plants and animals unique to the Galapagos archipelago, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador.

Charles Darwin, a British scientist, was inspired by nature's wonders in his 19th-century theory of evolution by natural selection.

On Floreana, where sea turtles and pink flamingos also live, the government also committed a biodiversity laboratory to studying invasive species and keeping an eye on the wellbeing of the local wildlife.

Native Species of Galapagos Islands

Ecuador's historic move in May involved converting a record-breaking $1.6 billion in commercial debt into a funding source aimed at bolstering conservation efforts in the Galapagos Islands.

The Galapagos, renowned for their astonishing biodiversity on land and in the ocean, house unique species that have remained largely unchanged since prehistoric times due to their remote isolation.

The iconic Galapagos marine iguanas, albatrosses, and giant tortoises continue to captivate scientists and delight tourists, highlighting the critical importance of preserving this natural wonder.

High populations of numerous unusual species are found. For instance, hundreds of marine iguanas bask on the beaches, and on some islands, hundreds of birds may be spotted at once.

Scalesia atractyloides, the rarest plant in the Galapagos and an endemic to Santiago, as well as its relative, S. stewartii, were subjects of a 2001 ecological study by the Department of Botany.

The scientists hoped that research on Scalesia atractyloides will provide data necessary for culture and planned reintroduction.

Also Read: Hidden Trail Cameras Watching Pink Iguana Hatchlings in Galapagos Reveal Threats to Species

Eradication of Invasives

Continued monitoring of vegetation on small islets will be paired with plans to eradicate introduced rats and reintroduce endemic rats. This will facilitate understanding the impact of these two rat species on plant communities.

Furthermore, a research project is set to commence, focusing on the recovery of native vegetation following goat control and imminent eradication.

Long-term monitoring, initiated in 1995, has been ongoing to assess the effects of goats and plan for post-eradication vegetation restoration.

Permanent plots within and outside fenced areas are assessed every 18 months during alternating wet and dry seasons to evaluate the influence of goat grazing and regeneration within protected zones.

The latest monitoring expedition occurred in November 2000, with new transects established in recently expanded fenced areas.

These sites are already showing promising signs of regeneration, indicating their potential importance for vegetation recovery after goat removal.

Related Article: Tiny Galapagos Bird Darwin's Flycatcher Battles Extinction as 12 Chicks Hatch This Year