IN GALAPAGOS BY: EDUARDO DAVILA INVASIVE SPECIES

Name of SpeciesHow IntroducedImpactControl RatsPirate boats Eats eggs of birds and is the responsible of the extinction of a native Galápagos rodent the Galápagos rats will be targeted with poison bait dropped from helicopters GoatsPirate boatsEats every thingCompetition for the native. GarrapateroHumansKill the mockingbirds Nothing CatsBoatsEats turtles eggs and lizards Killing them by island

THE ISSUE Humans have brought many alien species to the island since its discovery in 1535 Pigs, cats, goats and plants (Fruit, Vegetables) A total of 36 vertebrate species have been introduced to Galapagos, including 1 freshwater fish, 2 amphibians, 4 reptiles, 10 birds, and 13 mammals.

CAUSES Humans started introducing alien species to the island to easier access to food and other natural resources that aren't originally from the island. Also the growth of the state is another big cause of introduction of invasive species to the Island.

CONTROL & MANAGEMENT Galapagos National Park and Charles Drawing Foundation have been trying to reduce the amount of introduced into the island. they started by trying to reduce the amount of goats in the little islands 1980 was when truism started and the residents stopped bringing invasive species to the island

VERTEBRATES INTRODUCED

RATS The Galápagos National Park Service has launched a project to protect the famous archipelago’s endangered species by wiping out introduced, invasive rats. feed on the eggs and hatchlings of the islands' native species, which include giant tortoises, lava lizards, snakes, hawks and iguanas. As has been done in other locations, such as Australia’s Christmas Islands. Galápagos rats will be targeted with poison bait dropped from helicopters, starting on nine of the chain’s small and medium-sized islands.

BLACK RAT the extinction of a native Galápagos rodent was caused by black rats more than 75 years ago after the rats brought disease and competition for food and living space. The black rat (Rattus rattus) led the invasion in the 17th century via the ships of buccaneers.

THE SOLUTION The rodenticide is in light blue cubes that attract rats but have been found to be of little interest to other species. Developed by Bell Laboratories in the United States, the 1cm cubes disintegrate within days. They also contain a strong anti-coagulant that accelerates the decomposition of rats that eat them. Nearly 22 tonnes of poisoned bait are to be dropped on islands to kill rats that threaten bird and reptile species

THE SOLUTION Hawks that might eat the dead rats have been temporarily relocated from the island. Even though the risk to iguanas is thought small, they too have been moved ahead of the toxic drop, which will be done in a grid pattern and repeated in seven days. The project is being funded by the national park and nonprofit conservation groups including Island Conservation.

BIBLIOGRAPHY nacional_especies_invasoras_animales nacional_especies_invasoras_animales galapagos-1.shtml galapagos-1.shtml countdown/2011/01/27/rat-eradication-program-begins-in- galapagos-islands/ countdown/2011/01/27/rat-eradication-program-begins-in- galapagos-islands/ million-galapagos-island-rats million-galapagos-island-rats galapagos/ /Galapagos-Islands-steps-up- extermination-of-180-million-rats.html