Endangered Species: fragile ecosystem

The Galapagos cruise allows you to see endangered

species but also educates how to care for them.

Galapagos travel cruise vacation will include information

about the rules imposed by the Galapagos National

Park.

Visitors are only allowed in the park under the

supervision of the Naturalist Guides.These

highly qualified people provide great knowledge

of the Galapagos ecosystem. The Galapagos National

Park keeps the habitat of the islands in as close

to its natural state as possible. It works together

with the Charles Darwin Research Station that conducts

research in the Islands.

The rare and endemic species of the Galapagos wildlife

have been endangered by the introduced plants that

have seriously invaded this native ecosystem.

Native plants are also destroyed by being grazed on,

trampled, or eaten by feral goats and cattle.

The giant tortoises are endangered species due to hunting and introduced

fauna and flora.

Thousands of goats on Isabella Island are eating the tortoise habitat.

Many small iguanas are killed by introduced animals. Conservation programs

to protect the Iguanas are continuing.

Quinine is already ravaging through the native habitat.

The guava tree, very resistant to draught, is invasive enough to soon

replace native trees: it uses up most of the nutrients depriving the native

plants of food. With its height, the guava tree shades the smaller

plants keeping them from growing.

Other problematic plants are elephant grass, kalanchoe and passionflower.

Remember that without the plants, most of the native land animals would

not survive.

The Charles Darwin Foundation is located at Academy Bay less than

two kilometres from Puerto Ayora. Here we can see what huge and costly

effort is required to maintain the Galapagos habitats so we, and future

generations, could enjoy them for the many years to come.

The Station provides lots of information on the history and biodiversity of

the islands so it is advisable to start your Galapagos Adventure from there.

Both organizations - The Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos

National Park -work together to offer the best hope to achieve balance

between the Galapagos ecosystems and humans.

For the long-term future of the Galapagos education is critical.

The Education and Communication program is one of four protective

measures. Its purpose is to involve and inform tourists, as well as the

local community how important is to prevent the introduction of new

species to the islands.

tortoises being raised for release into the wild.

The environmental education center Charles Darwin

Foundation – provides learning resources for all

ages in Santa Cruz, San Cristobel, and Isabela.

The Galapagos National Park Staff works closely

with Charles Darwin Foundation to preserve the

natural state of the Islands: the biological

diversity of this small and unique ecosystem.

Endangered species po polsku

Endangered species en francais

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