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The islands' biodiversity is under threat from several sources. The human population is growing at a rate of 8% per year (1995). Introduced species have caused damage, and in 1996 a US$5 million, five-year eradication plan commenced in an attempt to rid the islands of introduced species such as goats, rats, deer, and donkeys.
Feral goats introduced to the islands for agricultural reasons had a huge impact. They are dangerous to the environment because they eat almost everything, destroying many habitats. The lack of natural predators led to overpopulation, which had a huge impact on the Galápagos tortoise, driving the tortoises near to extinction. [4]
Measures include monitoring population trends, habitat preservation, and mitigating human impacts. These efforts are essential to ensure the survival of the Galápagos penguin, a species integral to the biodiversity and ecological balance of the Galápagos Islands.
Marine Iguanas are the only marine lizard species in the world found only in the Galápagos Islands. They can dive as deep as 30m (98 feet) and hold their breath for 30-40 minutes.
The Galápagos tortoise, whose protection from extinction impulsed the Project Isabela. The Project Isabela (Spanish: Proyecto Isabela) was an environmental restoration project in the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador that took place between 1997 and 2006, [1] initiated by the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park.
Floreana, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador Disappeared from the wild in the mid-19th century, though hybrids survive in captivity and in northern Isabela Island. Likely extinct due to hunting and the impact of introduced mammals including pigs, dogs, cats, goats, donkeys, cattle, black rats and house mice. [64] Santa Fe Island tortoise
School of scalloped hammerheads at Wolf Island in the Galapagos Islands Another school of scalloped hammerheads at Wolf Island, Galapagos From the plane of an Airbus A320, flying out Baltra Island (on the right) and Santa Cruz Island (on the left) and between the two islands is the Itabaca Channel an area filled with water taxis taking people in between and to waiting boats off shore waiting ...
A UNESCO mission arrived in Galapagos on 29 April to study the progress made since 2007. A favorite of visitors to the Galapagos is Tortuga Bay, located on the Santa Cruz Island, about a 20-minute walk from the main water taxi dock in Puerto Ayora. The walking path is 1.55 miles (2,490 m) and is open from six in the morning to six in the evening.