Efforts for the effective conservation of Galapagos continue

As part of the project "Effective Conservation of Protected Areas of Galapagos, through the Strengthening of Control and Surveillance of the Galapagos Marine Reserve and the Eradication of Invasive Predators on Floreana Island", on Tuesday, October 3, began the bait dispersal campaign that will allow the elimination of rats on Floreana Island.

This work will contribute to the recovery and protection of 61 endangered native species, increasing the resilience of vulnerable ecosystems and strengthening key productive activities for the people of Floreana such as tourism, agriculture and sustainable livestock.

Two helicopters were contracted to disperse bait in the exact proportions determined by a probabilistic model prepared by experts from Island Conservation and the Jocotoco Foundation. The campaign began in the south of Floreana and will advance towards the north of the island, according to the planning approved by the National Park Directorate, CAF and GEF.

The project Effective Conservation of Galapagos Protected Areas, through the Strengthening of Control and Surveillance of the Galapagos Marine Reserve and the Eradication of Invasive Predators on Floreana Island, is an institutional effort between the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition; the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with a grant of $ 1. 1,940,000; CAF- Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, as implementing agency; Fundación Jocotoco as executing agency; and of course the Galapagos community, which is a fundamental part of this process.

In accordance with this last point, a follow-up visit was made to farms belonging to members of the community of Floreana (an island with a population of 140 people), with the participation of Alicia Montalvo, CAF's Climate Action and Positive Biodiversity Manager, and the technical teams of the organizations involved. During this visit, the urgency of developing the project was discussed to prevent rodents from affecting the local economy, since they destroy agricultural crops, as well as the nests of endemic birds and reptiles, causing the extinction of fauna and flora that are the main attractions for tourists visiting the island.

In January 2024, once the eradication of rats and cats is completed, the restoration phase of populations of 13 species of birds and reptiles will begin in what is the first ecological restoration project on a populated island in the world.

This project is part of the Strategic Ecosystems Mission Initiative of the CAF Agenda 2026, which will transform CAF into the green bank and the bank for sustainable and inclusive growth in Latin America and the Caribbean.