The Galapagos Islands

Galapagos = Tortoise

• Why are the Galapagos Islands famous?

• Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands form an archipelago west of the country in the Pacific Ocean. The island contain wildlife found nowhere else in the world. Many of these species were studied by Charles Darwin, who visited the islands and used evidence he gathered there to support his theory of natural selections.

• Galapagos Penguin: The only tropical penguin

Darwin’s Finches – Lead to theory of natural selection

Galapagos Animals

•Galapagos Iguana the only iguana feeding in the sea

The Blue-footed Booby is strictly a marine bird. Their only need for land is to breed, which they do along rocky coasts.

Tourism in The Galapagos

• Although the islands are now a wildlife sanctuary, some people that the Galapagos archipelago is threatened by its exploitation for tourism and jobs. For example, in 2001 a tanker sank while carrying oil to tourist boats on the islands. This incident highlighted the environmental threat created by the need to supply to islands’ increasing population.

• Should they allow tourism to the Galapagos? What are the positives and negatives?

Human and Environment Interaction

• Sea lions in the Galápagos are somewhat tame, and very curious

Negative Impact of TourismThe tank vessel Jessica ran hard aground in the Galapagos archipelago January 16, 2001, spilling about 200,000 gallons of oil into a pristine environment known for unique wildlife and aquatic species.