Endemic Galapagos Hawk — The lava lizard didn’t stand a chance. Photo by Jennifer Crossman
As part of an ongoing commitment (and battle) to eradicate invasive species on the Galapagos Islands, partner organizations including the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and Galapagos National Park (GNP) are once again attacking the invasive rat population of the Galapagos Islands. The rats causing all the trouble were first brought inadvertently to the islands in the 17th century as stowaways on ships. Rats have been successfully removed from other islands; and the work continues.
Biologists from University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center have joined the CDF and GNP in their efforts to rid the islands of rats. Why the Raptor Center? Well, the project is focusing on the removal of invasive rats from ten small islands and islets; four of these islands are home to 22 Galapagos hawks. As a means to their end, the rats will be poisoned. To protect the hawks from potential secondary poisoning (via eating the poisoned rats), the 22 birds will be held in captivity for roughly 6 weeks, during the eradication process.
I should note that the Galapagos does have an endemic species of rat called the Galapagos Rice Rat – this small, brown rat with bat-like ears, resides on Santa Fe Island.
The park service has had some great successes with eradication, including invasive pigs, goats and various plant species. Some of you might remember reading my feature about the return of giant tortoises to Pinta Island this past summer. Following the removal of invasive goats from Pinta Island, giant tortoises have returned to Pinta Island after a 40-year absence.
Sounds good to me getting rid of the rats, also the return of the tortoise brings a smile to my face. It's good that organisations are helping endangered species.
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I recently signed up with blog.adventure-life.com.
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Galapagos Hawks have very good vision and they are more likely to spot you first, before you spot them while circling in the sky.
Rio de Janeiro Pousadas
I've heard that galapagos are out numbered now. Is it true?
Cartagena in Colombia
The Galapagos Islands are the most incredible living museum of evolutionary changes, with a huge variety of endemic species (birds, land and sea animals, plants).
Thanks for sharing.
I will be fascinated and enthusiastic about what you will be writing about below.