
The Galapagos National Park (GNP) made a thorough job of eradicating these species were introduced into the archipelago of Ecuador, in their struggle to maintain the unique richness of a fragile ecosystem, which is guarded carefully by the rangers. The conservation institution maintains an exhaustive control of all organic material entering the archipelago, as well as working hard in combat, non-invasive techniques for the environment against these species. Victor Carrion, head of Animal Control and Eradication of Introduced in the National Park, told a group of reporters that his work is a painstaking work that requires a preliminary study and the commitment of the authorities of the Galapagos and the country. The eradication of these species, whose presence challenges the original ecosystem conservation in Galapagos aims to achieve the ecological restoration of the islands and maintain their evolutionary cycle, 150 years ago, inspired Charles Darwin in the creation of his theory of natural evolution species. On the island of Santa Cruz, near “The Twins”, a curious volcanic geological formation consisting of two nearly identical large circular depressions, stands a leafy mulberry plantation that, contrary to what a tourist uninitiated might think, is not a manifestation of the richness of the Galapagos vegetation. In fact, poses a threat to the balance of the ecosystem of the area, and thus the PNG deforestation makes a plant while repopulated the area with endemic species of flora unique to the archipelago. The mission is headed by four workers of the institution, which destroy machete base about half a hectare per day. Another meticulous work is being done to ensure the eradication of rats, possibly landed on the islands after traveling in the hold of some ships. Floreana Island in the south of the archipelago, lies Punta Cormorant, one of the places to visit restricted and tightly controlled by the PNG because of the fragility of its ecosystem and the purity of its conservation. At Punta Cormorant live flamingos and blue-footed Finches, in its crystalline waters and sharks swim in its beaches of sand “flour”, well known for being very thin and white, sea turtles bury their eggs. However, the rats that arrived from the continent created a population that threatens the purity and stability of that ecosystem. For its eradication, the rangers make use of a trap-cage made of metal that contains a bait made from peanuts (groundnuts), which attracts rodents and secures it once they have entered in search of food. A special control effort is being done to deal definitively with the remaining goats remaining in protected areas of some islands, after a mass removal process took place some years ago. For this project, PNG has a helicopter which receives signals from radiometry collar of a goat, which the rangers called “Judas” and was taken to the area some time ago to form around a herd. They also use packs of trained dogs after rangers located the flock, are released for the catch. These procedures require a particular effort of staff of the conservation organization even have to watch your diet and hygiene when they go to the monitoring and control operations in protected areas. Therefore, the PNG realized simultaneously raise awareness among the population and stringent controls of tourists and visiting areas because only a few seeds of tomato or some ant hidden between the cracks of the sole of the boots can make a risk to the natural balance of these beautiful islands.
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