Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria More Prevalent in Galápagos Wildlife Living Close to Humans

February 2, 2012

Candice Gaukel Andrews

Reptile Channel.com reported this week that land and marine iguanas —as well as giant tortoises — living next to tourist sites or human settlements on the Galápagos Islands are more likely to harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria than those that live in more remote or protected locations. 

Although further studies are needed to better understand how proximity to humans may increase disease risk in endemic Galápagos wildlife, the finding underscores what researchers have known for a long time: that the Galápagos are the perfect place to study ecology and evolution — and to work to solve environmental challenges.