Specialists census tortoises and study volcano in Galapagos Islands
Quito, Jan 19 (Prensa Latina) A team made up of park rangers and scientists are working today on a census of tortoises of the Chelonoidis vandenburghi species, on Isabela Island, in the Ecuadorian archipelago of the Galapagos.
The work, directed by specialists from the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park and the Galapagos Conservancy, includes the monitoring of these chelonians contemporaneous with a study of the Alcedo Volcano, located in the island territory.
The study of tortoises includes counting and obtaining data such as distribution, sex, age, nests and those number that are hatched, among other data points.
It is also planned to record the possible presence of invasive species such as cats, red ant and castor, as well as threatened species such as the tree fern.
As for the volcano, the scientists will assess the current state of conservation of the mountain, after the different management actions implemented, such as restoration measures.
The investigation, which will conclude on January 24, involves an area of approximately 200 square kilometers and involves eight groups of three people, each, distributed in the north, south and east of the volcano, where more than 90 percent of the population of Chelonoidis vandenburghi is concentrated, a species endemic to the archipelago.
Specialists expect the census to be 95 percent accurate.
Protecting the Galapagos, the first natural heritage of humanity and recognized tourist destination, as well as keeping the study of its flora and fauna species updated, are priorities of the authorities of that Ecuadorian territory and the national executive branch.
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