2. Location
• The Galapagos Islands are a
group of islands, or an
archipelago that are located
around the equator just West of
Ecuador.
• Ecuador is the current owner of
these islands.
• The largest island Isabela, is
1771 sq. miles(1).
3. Terrain
• It is made up of 13 large
islands and hundreds of
smaller ones.
• Has many different terrains
like deserts and subtropical
forests.
• The estimated age of the
Islands is between 3 and 10
million years.(1)
4. Species
• The islands and the waters that
surround the islands are home
to 9,000 species.
• Most of the species there are
not found anywhere else
• People are the new species
here, having first set foot on
the islands in the 1800s and
arriving in greater numbers in
the 1920s.(2)
5. “Lonesome George”
• A tortoise from the pinta
island, is one of the most
rarest animals alive.
• Can live up to 90 years of age.
• Recent, efforts to reproduce
the Lonesome George have
unfortunately failed.
6. The Galapagos Penguin
• The Galapagos penguin is the only to be found in the
northern hemisphere and to breed in the tropics(1).
8. Climate
• Only had 2 seasons, warm and wet
from December to May, and cool
and dry from June to December.
• The convergence of three major
oceanic currents(panama current,
South Equatorial Current, Peru
current) brings an incredible mix of
marine life to Galapagos(1).
• The climate is also affected by the
ocean currents.
9. Issues: Early Damaging
• Pirates who passed by these
Islands took a damaging
effect on the wildlife early
on.
• Giant tortoises were
collected by pirates for
food.
• 24% of plant species and
50% of vertebrate species
are still considered as
endangered due to human
activity in earlier times.(1)
10. Issues: Humans
• Population and tourism also
changes the environment which
is very fragile.
• Clandestine fishing of black
coral, lobster, shark fin, sea
cucumber and sea horse is
incredibly destructive to the
marine life.(1)
11. Issues: El Nino
• 50% of marine life die from a
sudden climate change or El
nino.
• 'El Niño' is a phenomenon
that occurs roughly every 5-7
years. The southeast trade
winds slacken and cause the
sea temperatures to rise
dramatically and cause storms
and heavy rainfall.(1)
12. Protection
• Ecuador declared all the desolate land in
Galapagos a national park in 1959.
• Dogs and goats have been removed from
the smaller islands to preserve other
species.
• Environmental education efforts on the
Islands help their inhabitants understand
the larger picture and need for
conservation, and responsible tourism and
enforced park guidelines help preserve the
Galapagos for the future.(3)
13. Protection
• Although Galapagos has a trust fund, it does not
receive much money.
• Conservations rely mostly on philanthropists for
donations.
14. Adopt A Blue Footed Bobby
• You can donate to the World Wildlife
Fund and adopt a blue footed bobby.
• Can receive a blue footed bobby plush
with certain packages.
• For more info:
http://www.worldwildlife.org/gift-
center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/Blue-
footed-
Booby.aspx?sc=AWY1200WC900
