Feral goats and pigs exterminated from two largest Galapagos Islands

11/03/2007 00:00:00 August 2006. After one of the largest pest eradication programmes ever undertaken, feral goats have been cleared from northern Isabela Island, the largest island of the Galapagos archipelago and its neighbouring Santiago Island. The Isabela Project is confident that after nearly 8 years the elimination of the feral goats from both islands is complete. After many helicopter flights and much arduous groundwork, the indications are that the last of the goats have been removed. In addition to the feral goats other invasive species such as donkeys, pigs and several invasive plant species were also cleared and are no longer a threat to the fragile native ecosystem. The animals were introduced in the past as a food source for pirates, whalers and early colonists. Owing to their great adaptability, the goats flourished and ate many native plants. They were often seen in large herds on the flanks of volcanoes where they destroyed the vegetation thus causing erosion.

This ecosystem destruction left rare Galapagos species without food, water and
Cover. The Isabela Project is a huge step toward full ecological restoration of the islands and the vegetation has already started to recover.

Over 95 % of the Isabela Project staff are native to the Galapagos and are trained and experienced in specialist hunting methods and technology. Aerial hunting was effective in reducing the large herds of goats on the islands. By 2005, goat numbers were so small that ‘Judas’ goats, sterilized animals with tracking collars were released to help locate the last few feral goats.

‘We have achieved all the objectives and fulfilled all the goals that were planned many years ago’ says Felipe Cruz, a native of the Galapagos, ‘and we can say with pride that we even surpassed what was hoped for. We have done what the world thought was impossible, making feral goats, pigs and donkeys now a story for the history books about Santiago, and northern Isabela islands’

The Ecuadorian Government, the Global Environment Facility, the United Nations Development Program and the Friends of Galapagos organizations, and many individuals provided the financial resources to undertake the Isabela Project.

The Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands (CDF) was established in 1959 as an international non–profit research organization to provide knowledge and assistance through scientific research and complementary action to ensure the conservation of the environment and biodiversity in the Galapagos Archipelago. The Foundation operates the Charles Darwin Research Station in Galapagos.