Page 69 - World of Animals - Issue #31

“The Galapagos Islands have some A vision for a

of the highest levels of endemic sustainable Galapagos

species in the world” Holly Forsyth is the PR and communications offi cer
at the Galapagos Conservation Trust
The Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) is the only UK charity to
focus solely on the conservation of the Galapagos Islands. Holly
Forsyth explains: “For over 20 years we have supported projects
that encompass the three key areas of our vision for a sustainable
Galapagos: science, culture and education.”
By raising funds and awareness in the UK, GCT can support
conservation projects in Galapagos, helping to contribute to the
overall management of this unique ecosystem. “It is our mission to
keep Galapagos as one of the best conserved tropical archipelagos
in the world and to communicate the lessons we can learn from this
special place to a wider audience,” says Holly.
Threats to the island wildlife include increases in tourism and the
local population, climate change and marine pollution. However,
as Holly explains, “The introduction of invasive species is widely
recognised as the greatest threat to the biodiversity of oceanic
archipelagos. Evolving in relative isolation, the endemic wildlife
of Galapagos is particularly susceptible to the impacts of new
species, which can include competition for resources, predation
and infection by foreign diseases.”
The GCT supports a variety of projects in the Galapagos Islands,
all of which fall into five key areas: conserving endemic species;

marine conservation; controlling invasive species; sustainable
development; and conservation through education. Holly adds,
“The work that we support ranges from pioneering projects to
understanding whale sharks, a species about which we still know
so very little, through to ensuring the survival of the rarest of
Darwin’s finches, the mangrove finch, by protecting them literally

one egg at a time.”
Looking ahead, Holly sums up: “While the future of Galapagos
may be uncertain, through collaboration, coordination and a
concerted effort, there is still time to steer it towards long-term

conservation and sustainability.”
If you would like to get involved with the work of the Galapagos

Conservation Trust or find out more about the charity and its
conservation work, visit the website:
www.galapagosconservation.org.uk.

Sally Lightfoot crab Lava lizard Waved albatross

The five-legged Sally Lightfoot crab is fast, The most common kind of reptile on the islands, An amazing athlete, the waved albatross can

energetic and agile. These spider-like crustaceans the lava lizard can measure up to 30 centimetres fly for many hours without stopping due to its
are flat and keep low to the ground. Young Sally (one foot) in length. There are seven different dynamic soaring technique. The birds can live © Corbis; Thinkstock; Sol 90

Lightfoot crabs blend in well with the black lava species on the islands. The male is larger and for up to 45 years and feed on fish, squid and

coasts of the volcanic islands, while the adults more brightly coloured than the female, and crustaceans. They can also scavenge for other
stand out with a reddish brown or bright orange. bobs its head up and down to signify ownership. food, such as regurgitated food of other birds.
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