Wildlife of the Galápagos Islands

In most environments the larger mammals are the predators at the top of the food chain, but those animals did not make it to the Galápagos.

Due to the lack of natural predators, the wildlife in the Galápagos is extremely tame and has no instinctive fear.

It was after visiting the Galápagos and studying the wildlife that a young Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution.

Land iguanas, lava lizards, geckos and harmless snakes are also found on the islands.

Also notable are Darwin's finches, frigatebirds, albatrosses, gulls, boobies, pelicans and Galápagos hawks.

On the larger Galápagos Islands, four ecological zones have been defined: coastal, low or dry, transitional and humid.

Species can be introduced naturally or more commonly, through human actions such as colonization, tourism, or the releasing of pets or livestock.

Scientists who study the flora and fauna in the Galápagos agree that the increasing number of invasive species in the region is "the single greatest threat to the terrestrial ecosystems".

For instance, the Charles Darwin Foundation helped create the Galápagos Inspection and Quarantine System (SICGAL) that checks the luggage brought into the Galapagos Islands for potentially invasive animals and plants.

Scientists have also suggested the release of natural enemies to control population growth amongst the invasive species.

The young tortoises between the ages of 5 and 9 years old were reared in the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding and Rearing Center on Isabela and transported by helicopter to another area of the island in Cinco Cerros near the Cerro Azul volcano.