January 18th, 2010
The following was reported on Kelowna.com:
New genetic research has identified nine captive giant tortoises as descendants of an “extinct” species formerly endemic to Floreana Island in the Pacific’s Galápagos Islands.
“Based upon our findings, we now have an opportunity to breed the species and maintain the integrity of this distinct lineage,” says Michael Russello, a conservation geneticist at UBC Okanagan.
The species known as Chelonoidis elephantopus went extinct on Floreana Island in the 20th century due to human activities. The ultimate goal is to eventually repatriate the lost tortoise species on Floreana so the island can one day support a self-sustaining breeding population of the endemic giant tortoise.
Read more
January 11th, 2010
A new study shows that Galapagos’ birds may be able to develop immunities to introduced viruses and parasites. A ground finch in the islands has developed antibodies against a pox virus and a nest fly. More research is needed, but this gives some hope that bird populations in Galapagos may be able to resist serious introduced diseases.
For more details, see this article:
“Darwin’s Finches Develop Immunity to Alien Parasites”
December 11th, 2009
The Galapagos National Park will roll out new (and much needed) regulations that will impact boat itineraries, visitor experience, and the length of cruises that can be sold.
The new regulations will allow each boat to operate a 15-day itinerary that does not visit any site more than once. Boats will be able to sell 7-day or 5-day (the minimum) itineraries. As the 7-day itineraries will be different, a two-week itinerary is also possible.
The new model was presented and discussed this past Wednesday (December 9) at a meeting between boat operators and the Galapagos National Park. According to the Park, this will cut visitation at 15 heavily used sites, give equal access to all boats at sites, increase the use of underused sites, enhance the visitor experience, reduce accidents, and reduce the total number of visitors by cutting out shorter itineraries.
The Park intends to implement this next year.
August 30th, 2009
Viruses and other mosquito-born diseases are known threats to the native bird life of the Galapagos. This prompted authorities to introduce spraying on aircraft flying to the islands. Now, there is a new development, the adaptation of a mosquito that can feed on reptiles.
Scientific American reports:
“The most widespread mosquito on the Galápagos Islands appears to have developed a taste for reptile blood. Biologists fear that the newly discovered behavior may leave many of the islands’ rare reptiles at risk for mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus, that they haven’t adapted to cope with.
A study published online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA reports that the black salt marsh mosquito (Aedes taeniorhynchus), which feeds on birds and mammals and is common along the coasts of North and South America, is now also feasting on the blood of marine iguanas and Galápagos tortoises. ”
Read more…
June 19th, 2009
Quito - A diesel leak from a tourist ship polluted a 100-metre stretch along a beach in the island of Santa Cruz in Ecuador’s Pacific archipelago of the Galapagos, officials said. Members of the crew of the Evolution ship were cooperating with environmental protection authorities to clean up the fuel spill, officials said Wednesday. To read more…
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