This year more than 40 million dollars will be invested in reintroduction programs caring for endangered species
Jorge Alvarado
5 July 2021
The Galapagos National Park (PNG) had its birthday on July 4. On this occassion, the authorities announced the execution of projects aimed at reinforcing the conservation of the local species.
At the event, the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition commemorated the LXII anniversary of the creation of this ecological reserve and acknowledged the efforts of the park rangers in charge of the management of terrestrial and marine protected areas were recognized,
“The Galapagos Islands are the symbol of the struggle that a small country like Ecuador has making an impact the world,” said Gustavo Manrique, Minister of the Environment, who congratulated men and women “who have given the best of their lives to take care of the [islands].”
Danny Rueda, director of PNG, highlighted some milestones this year that mark the path towards where conservation efforts will be directed. “Having confirmed that the female turtle found in 2019 on Fernandina Island belongs to the Chelonoidis phantasticus species according to genetic analyzes carried out by Yale University – considered extinct more than 100 years ago; the Seymour Norte Rodent-Free Declaration; and the success in the reintroduction of land iguanas on Santiago Island, are part of the management measures that did not go unnoticed by the world,” he stressed.
“Having confirmed that the female turtle found in 2019 on Fernandina Island belongs to the Chelonoidis phantasticus species -considered extinct more than 100 years ago- […] is part of the management measures that did not go unnoticed by the world”
Danny Rueda, Director of the Galapagos National Park
This year, the organization Re: wild, led by the North American actor Leonardo DiCaprio together with Island Conservation and the Directorate of PNG will invest more than 40 million dollars in reintroduction programs, caring for endangered species.
The objective is to gather the public-private support necessary to face the threats in Galapagos, considering that 80% of the inhabitants of the islands depend on tourism, this initiative contributes to the repowering and economic reactivation of the province.
The PNG Directorate awarded recognitions to non-governmental organizations that contributed financially with supplies and materials so that the environmental authority could face the pandemic and protect the safety of officials; He also thanked the work of the park rangers who completed between 5 and 25 years of service, with a commemorative plaque.
Visitor sites increase
The act of commemoration of the 62 years of the Park took place in the Miguel Cifuentes Community Center of the DPNG in Santa Cruz; participation included the main provincial authorities, strategic allies, community and park rangers from the different islands. At the event, the increase in visitor sites was announced – from 185 to 205.
Read the original coverage from Expreso at https://www.expreso.ec/actualidad/parque-nacional-galapagos-celebra-62-anos-anuncios-nuevos-proyectos-conservacion-107718.html
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