Annual Galapagos Penguin and Cormorant Census shows numbers are stable
December 2010. Over the course of 8 days, the Galapagos National Park Service conducted a partial census of penguins and cormorants at four sites on the islands of Isabela and Fernandina, in order to learn about the population status of these species. A partial census is carried out every year, while a complete census is conducted every five years or following strong El Niño years.
Partial census
A full census is carried out in 10 different areas within the archipelago, but the partial census is conducted in just 4 areas that are considered to have the greatest abundance of individuals based on findings from the previous 10 years. This year, birds were observed along the coasts of Fernandina Island between Punta Espinoza to Cape Douglas, and between Punta Mangrove to Punta Espinoza. On Isabela Island, observations were made from Cape Berkeley to Punta Albermarle and from Punta Essex to Punta Moreno.
To count penguins and cormorants, guards approach the shore in small boats. Using binoculars, they register individuals of each species present in the area. When possible, they go ashore to make observations on land.
Oceanographic and atmospheric data (sea and air temperature, water transparency and cloud cover) are recorded at fixed times at each site where penguins and cormorants are found.
721 penguins and 922 cormorants
A total of 721 penguins (Spheniscus mendiculus) and 922 flightless cormorants (Nannopterum harrisi) were counted, demonstrating that the size of the populations of these species in the islands remains similar to levels measured in recent years.
Microchips
During the census, park guards tagged 63 penguins and 39 cormorants with microchips, which will make its possible to identify these individuals in future years.
This census has been carried out since 1961. Penguins and flightless cormorants are endemic to Galapagos; they live mainly around the islands of Isabela and Fernandina.
The penguin, whose population size is small and whose distribution is very limited in the islands, are vulnerable because they require temperatures below 24 degrees Celsius in order to breed. Flightless cormorants have a high level of egg infertility, which also makes them a highly-vulnerable species.
Courtesy of the Galapagos Conservancy
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/galapagos-penguins.html
Showing posts with label Galapagos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Galapagos. Show all posts
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Galapagos penguin and flightless cormorants survey
Annual Galapagos Penguin and Cormorant Census shows numbers are stable
December 2010. Over the course of 8 days, the Galapagos National Park Service conducted a partial census of penguins and cormorants at four sites on the islands of Isabela and Fernandina, in order to learn about the population status of these species. A partial census is carried out every year, while a complete census is conducted every five years or following strong El Niño years.
Partial census
A full census is carried out in 10 different areas within the archipelago, but the partial census is conducted in just 4 areas that are considered to have the greatest abundance of individuals based on findings from the previous 10 years. This year, birds were observed along the coasts of Fernandina Island between Punta Espinoza to Cape Douglas, and between Punta Mangrove to Punta Espinoza. On Isabela Island, observations were made from Cape Berkeley to Punta Albermarle and from Punta Essex to Punta Moreno.
To count penguins and cormorants, guards approach the shore in small boats. Using binoculars, they register individuals of each species present in the area. When possible, they go ashore to make observations on land.
Oceanographic and atmospheric data (sea and air temperature, water transparency and cloud cover) are recorded at fixed times at each site where penguins and cormorants are found.
721 penguins and 922 cormorants
A total of 721 penguins (Spheniscus mendiculus) and 922 flightless cormorants (Nannopterum harrisi) were counted, demonstrating that the size of the populations of these species in the islands remains similar to levels measured in recent years.
Microchips
During the census, park guards tagged 63 penguins and 39 cormorants with microchips, which will make its possible to identify these individuals in future years.
This census has been carried out since 1961. Penguins and flightless cormorants are endemic to Galapagos; they live mainly around the islands of Isabela and Fernandina.
The penguin, whose population size is small and whose distribution is very limited in the islands, are vulnerable because they require temperatures below 24 degrees Celsius in order to breed. Flightless cormorants have a high level of egg infertility, which also makes them a highly-vulnerable species.
Courtesy of the Galapagos Conservancy
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/galapagos-penguins.html
December 2010. Over the course of 8 days, the Galapagos National Park Service conducted a partial census of penguins and cormorants at four sites on the islands of Isabela and Fernandina, in order to learn about the population status of these species. A partial census is carried out every year, while a complete census is conducted every five years or following strong El Niño years.
Partial census
A full census is carried out in 10 different areas within the archipelago, but the partial census is conducted in just 4 areas that are considered to have the greatest abundance of individuals based on findings from the previous 10 years. This year, birds were observed along the coasts of Fernandina Island between Punta Espinoza to Cape Douglas, and between Punta Mangrove to Punta Espinoza. On Isabela Island, observations were made from Cape Berkeley to Punta Albermarle and from Punta Essex to Punta Moreno.
To count penguins and cormorants, guards approach the shore in small boats. Using binoculars, they register individuals of each species present in the area. When possible, they go ashore to make observations on land.
Oceanographic and atmospheric data (sea and air temperature, water transparency and cloud cover) are recorded at fixed times at each site where penguins and cormorants are found.
721 penguins and 922 cormorants
A total of 721 penguins (Spheniscus mendiculus) and 922 flightless cormorants (Nannopterum harrisi) were counted, demonstrating that the size of the populations of these species in the islands remains similar to levels measured in recent years.
Microchips
During the census, park guards tagged 63 penguins and 39 cormorants with microchips, which will make its possible to identify these individuals in future years.
This census has been carried out since 1961. Penguins and flightless cormorants are endemic to Galapagos; they live mainly around the islands of Isabela and Fernandina.
The penguin, whose population size is small and whose distribution is very limited in the islands, are vulnerable because they require temperatures below 24 degrees Celsius in order to breed. Flightless cormorants have a high level of egg infertility, which also makes them a highly-vulnerable species.
Courtesy of the Galapagos Conservancy
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/galapagos-penguins.html
Monday, October 4, 2010
Galapagos frigatebirds genetically unique
Published: Sept. 28, 2010
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Galapagos Islands frigatebirds are a genetically distinct species from their mainland counterparts, warranting new conservation status, U.S. scientists say.
The equatorial Pacific Ocean islands boast a number of unique plant and animal species from tortoises to iguanas to penguins, but frigatebirds can fly hundreds of miles across open ocean, suggesting their gene flow should be widespread and their genetic makeup should be identical to those of the frigatebirds on the mainland coast of the Americas, researchers from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute say.
But three different genetics tests all yielded the same result -- the Galapagos seabirds have been genetically different from the frigatebirds elsewhere for more than half a million years.
"This was such a surprise," Frank Hailer, a research associate at institute, said. "It's a great testimony to just how unique the fauna and flora of the Galapagos are. Even something that is so well-adapted to flying over open oceans is isolated there."
What is clear is that this small population of genetically unique frigatebirds is a vulnerable group.
Any catastrophic event or threats by humans could wipe out the approximately 2,000 frigatebirds that nest on the Galapagos Islands, researchers say.
"The magnificent frigatebirds on the Galapagos are a unique evolutionarily significant unit, and if the Galapagos population did go extinct, the area will not likely be recolonized rapidly by mainland birds," Robert Fleischer, head of the institute's Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics, said. "This emphasizes the importance of protecting this small population of birds there."
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/09/28/Galapagos-frigatebirds-genetically-unique/UPI-78601285723104/
(Submitted by Chad Arment)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Galapagos Islands frigatebirds are a genetically distinct species from their mainland counterparts, warranting new conservation status, U.S. scientists say.
The equatorial Pacific Ocean islands boast a number of unique plant and animal species from tortoises to iguanas to penguins, but frigatebirds can fly hundreds of miles across open ocean, suggesting their gene flow should be widespread and their genetic makeup should be identical to those of the frigatebirds on the mainland coast of the Americas, researchers from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute say.
But three different genetics tests all yielded the same result -- the Galapagos seabirds have been genetically different from the frigatebirds elsewhere for more than half a million years.
"This was such a surprise," Frank Hailer, a research associate at institute, said. "It's a great testimony to just how unique the fauna and flora of the Galapagos are. Even something that is so well-adapted to flying over open oceans is isolated there."
What is clear is that this small population of genetically unique frigatebirds is a vulnerable group.
Any catastrophic event or threats by humans could wipe out the approximately 2,000 frigatebirds that nest on the Galapagos Islands, researchers say.
"The magnificent frigatebirds on the Galapagos are a unique evolutionarily significant unit, and if the Galapagos population did go extinct, the area will not likely be recolonized rapidly by mainland birds," Robert Fleischer, head of the institute's Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics, said. "This emphasizes the importance of protecting this small population of birds there."
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/09/28/Galapagos-frigatebirds-genetically-unique/UPI-78601285723104/
(Submitted by Chad Arment)
Galapagos frigatebirds genetically unique
Published: Sept. 28, 2010
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Galapagos Islands frigatebirds are a genetically distinct species from their mainland counterparts, warranting new conservation status, U.S. scientists say.
The equatorial Pacific Ocean islands boast a number of unique plant and animal species from tortoises to iguanas to penguins, but frigatebirds can fly hundreds of miles across open ocean, suggesting their gene flow should be widespread and their genetic makeup should be identical to those of the frigatebirds on the mainland coast of the Americas, researchers from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute say.
But three different genetics tests all yielded the same result -- the Galapagos seabirds have been genetically different from the frigatebirds elsewhere for more than half a million years.
"This was such a surprise," Frank Hailer, a research associate at institute, said. "It's a great testimony to just how unique the fauna and flora of the Galapagos are. Even something that is so well-adapted to flying over open oceans is isolated there."
What is clear is that this small population of genetically unique frigatebirds is a vulnerable group.
Any catastrophic event or threats by humans could wipe out the approximately 2,000 frigatebirds that nest on the Galapagos Islands, researchers say.
"The magnificent frigatebirds on the Galapagos are a unique evolutionarily significant unit, and if the Galapagos population did go extinct, the area will not likely be recolonized rapidly by mainland birds," Robert Fleischer, head of the institute's Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics, said. "This emphasizes the importance of protecting this small population of birds there."
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/09/28/Galapagos-frigatebirds-genetically-unique/UPI-78601285723104/
(Submitted by Chad Arment)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Galapagos Islands frigatebirds are a genetically distinct species from their mainland counterparts, warranting new conservation status, U.S. scientists say.
The equatorial Pacific Ocean islands boast a number of unique plant and animal species from tortoises to iguanas to penguins, but frigatebirds can fly hundreds of miles across open ocean, suggesting their gene flow should be widespread and their genetic makeup should be identical to those of the frigatebirds on the mainland coast of the Americas, researchers from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute say.
But three different genetics tests all yielded the same result -- the Galapagos seabirds have been genetically different from the frigatebirds elsewhere for more than half a million years.
"This was such a surprise," Frank Hailer, a research associate at institute, said. "It's a great testimony to just how unique the fauna and flora of the Galapagos are. Even something that is so well-adapted to flying over open oceans is isolated there."
What is clear is that this small population of genetically unique frigatebirds is a vulnerable group.
Any catastrophic event or threats by humans could wipe out the approximately 2,000 frigatebirds that nest on the Galapagos Islands, researchers say.
"The magnificent frigatebirds on the Galapagos are a unique evolutionarily significant unit, and if the Galapagos population did go extinct, the area will not likely be recolonized rapidly by mainland birds," Robert Fleischer, head of the institute's Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics, said. "This emphasizes the importance of protecting this small population of birds there."
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/09/28/Galapagos-frigatebirds-genetically-unique/UPI-78601285723104/
(Submitted by Chad Arment)
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Everglades and Madagascar forests on Unesco danger list
A UN panel has added Florida's Everglades National Park and Madagascar's tropical rainforest to a list of world heritage sites at risk.
Unesco's World Heritage Committee said development in the Everglades had caused water flow to fall 60% in the wetland, a major wildlife sanctuary.
The pollution level there was so high it was killing marine life, it added.
Illegal logging and poaching following last year's military coup has meanwhile imperilled Madagascar's rainforests.
On Thursday, the committee voted to remove the Galapagos Islands from the at-risk list, saying Ecuador had made significant progress protecting its ecosystem.
Unique speciesAt a meeting in Brazil, the Unesco panel said the Everglades had been added to the List of World Heritage in Danger at the request of the US government because of "serious and continuing degradation of its aquatic ecosystem".
Agricultural and urban development were the main reasons for the decrease in water flow and increase in pollution levels, Unesco said.
It is the second time the Everglades, home to 20 endangered species, have been added. The wetlands were first classified as at risk between 1993 and 2007 after being devastated by Hurricane Andrew.
"We commend the USA's request to re-inscribe the site on the danger list, and its plans for major infrastructure overhaul to restore the Everglades's fragile wetland ecosystem," said Mariam Kenza Ali of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The Atsinanana rainforests of Madagascar, which lie within six national parks in the east of the island, were put on the list because of the threat to the many unique species inhabiting them, especially primates and lemurs.
"In adding this site to the danger list, we are calling for international action to halt illegal logging and to also ensure that no illegally logged precious woods from Madagascar enter national markets," said Tim Badman, head of World Heritage at the IUCN.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-10825472
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Giant tortoises released onto Pinta Island for the first time for 40 years
Tortoises needed to engineer the ecosystem
June 2010. 39 tortoises have been released into the wilds of Pinta Island, in the northern waters of the Galapagos Archipelago, as part of an ongoing effort to restore the ecological integrity of Pinta ecosystems. This is the first time that tortoises have inhabited the island since the removal of Lonesome George, the last known Pinta tortoise, in 1972.
The return of tortoises to Pinta is considered an essential step towards re-establishing ecological processes on the island. The Ministry of the Environment of Ecuador is overseeing this vital step in the implementation of the plan for the ecological restoration of Pinta.
Lonesome George last of his kind
Giant tortoises on Pinta are thought to have numbered between 5,000 and 10,000 before pirates and whalers began removing them for food. As a result of the over-exploitation in past centuries, tortoises were believed to be extinct on Pinta during much of the twentieth century. The discovery of Lonesome George on Pinta in 1971 surprised scientists and park managers alike. George was transported to the Tortoise Center on Santa Cruz Island in the spring of 1972 to ensure his safety. While park rangers, scientists and the thousands of tourists who have visited George hope that one day a mate will be discovered-on Pinta, in a zoo, or in a private collection-no female Pinta tortoise has yet been found.
In addition to the removal of giant tortoises, which are known to play an important role as "ecosystem engineers" through movement patterns, herbivory, and seed dispersal, Pinta also suffered large-scale degradation by introduced goats. Three goats released onto Pinta in 1959 eventually resulted in a population of more than 40,000 animals, which destroyed much of the island's native vegetation. After the GNP achieved eradication of the goats from the island in 2003, the vegetation recovered rapidly. However, full and balanced island restoration required the presence of Galapagos giant tortoises.
Hybrid tortoises sterilized and releasedWhile ongoing genetic studies are helping to determine the best species with which to repopulate the island, it is important that tortoises be released onto Pinta as soon as possible. The decision was made to use the hybrid tortoises held in corrals of the GNP on Santa Cruz and Floreana for this purpose. These tortoises are the offspring of tortoises of unknown origin held in captivity during the early years of the GNP. Given that one of the main goals of the GNP is to conserve the evolutionary integrity of the archipelago's biodiversity, release of hybrid tortoises into the wild is unacceptable. Therefore, these tortoises were destined to spend their entire lives-as much as 150 years or more-in captivity. By sterilizing these tortoises, they can now be released into the wild on Pinta as non-reproducing contributors to the restoration of the island's ecosystem.
A group of veterinarians from the United States, led by Drs. Steve Divers (College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia), Sam Rivera (Zoo Atlanta), and Joe Flanagan (Houston Zoo), worked with the GNP to sterilize the tortoises in November 2009. Since that time, the tortoises have been held in quarantine in a corral separate from all other captive tortoises. Their health is monitored and their faeces are also inspected to determine if they have consumed any seeds. It is essential to ensure that the tortoises do not introduce any plant species to the nearly pristine island. The tortoises will also be fitted with satellite and telemetry tags so that scientists can monitor their movements on Pinta.
This project has been made possible by funding from the Galapagos National Park, and generous contributions of the Panaphil Foundation, Continental Airlines, Buffalo Exchange, SUNY-ESF, the Houston Zoo, a number of veterinarians who have donated their services, and approximately 1,000 Galapagos Conservancy members.
Galapagos Conservancy is dedicated exclusively to the long-term protection of the Galapagos Islands. This single focus allows us to maximize the impact of the financial investments of our members, who include individuals and institutions that care deeply about the Galapagos Islands and understand the scientific importance of preserving this extraordinary ecosystem.
Under the leadership of the Minister of the Environment, the tortoises' release was carried out by a team of park rangers, herpetologists, botanists, and veterinarians-from the Galapagos National Park (GNP), Galapagos Conservancy, the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), and the Houston Zoo.
June 2010. 39 tortoises have been released into the wilds of Pinta Island, in the northern waters of the Galapagos Archipelago, as part of an ongoing effort to restore the ecological integrity of Pinta ecosystems. This is the first time that tortoises have inhabited the island since the removal of Lonesome George, the last known Pinta tortoise, in 1972.
The return of tortoises to Pinta is considered an essential step towards re-establishing ecological processes on the island. The Ministry of the Environment of Ecuador is overseeing this vital step in the implementation of the plan for the ecological restoration of Pinta.
Lonesome George last of his kind
Giant tortoises on Pinta are thought to have numbered between 5,000 and 10,000 before pirates and whalers began removing them for food. As a result of the over-exploitation in past centuries, tortoises were believed to be extinct on Pinta during much of the twentieth century. The discovery of Lonesome George on Pinta in 1971 surprised scientists and park managers alike. George was transported to the Tortoise Center on Santa Cruz Island in the spring of 1972 to ensure his safety. While park rangers, scientists and the thousands of tourists who have visited George hope that one day a mate will be discovered-on Pinta, in a zoo, or in a private collection-no female Pinta tortoise has yet been found.
Lonesome George was the last of the true Pinta Island tortoises
Tortoises are important eco-system engineersIn addition to the removal of giant tortoises, which are known to play an important role as "ecosystem engineers" through movement patterns, herbivory, and seed dispersal, Pinta also suffered large-scale degradation by introduced goats. Three goats released onto Pinta in 1959 eventually resulted in a population of more than 40,000 animals, which destroyed much of the island's native vegetation. After the GNP achieved eradication of the goats from the island in 2003, the vegetation recovered rapidly. However, full and balanced island restoration required the presence of Galapagos giant tortoises.
Hybrid tortoises sterilized and releasedWhile ongoing genetic studies are helping to determine the best species with which to repopulate the island, it is important that tortoises be released onto Pinta as soon as possible. The decision was made to use the hybrid tortoises held in corrals of the GNP on Santa Cruz and Floreana for this purpose. These tortoises are the offspring of tortoises of unknown origin held in captivity during the early years of the GNP. Given that one of the main goals of the GNP is to conserve the evolutionary integrity of the archipelago's biodiversity, release of hybrid tortoises into the wild is unacceptable. Therefore, these tortoises were destined to spend their entire lives-as much as 150 years or more-in captivity. By sterilizing these tortoises, they can now be released into the wild on Pinta as non-reproducing contributors to the restoration of the island's ecosystem.
A group of veterinarians from the United States, led by Drs. Steve Divers (College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia), Sam Rivera (Zoo Atlanta), and Joe Flanagan (Houston Zoo), worked with the GNP to sterilize the tortoises in November 2009. Since that time, the tortoises have been held in quarantine in a corral separate from all other captive tortoises. Their health is monitored and their faeces are also inspected to determine if they have consumed any seeds. It is essential to ensure that the tortoises do not introduce any plant species to the nearly pristine island. The tortoises will also be fitted with satellite and telemetry tags so that scientists can monitor their movements on Pinta.
This project has been made possible by funding from the Galapagos National Park, and generous contributions of the Panaphil Foundation, Continental Airlines, Buffalo Exchange, SUNY-ESF, the Houston Zoo, a number of veterinarians who have donated their services, and approximately 1,000 Galapagos Conservancy members.
Galapagos Conservancy is dedicated exclusively to the long-term protection of the Galapagos Islands. This single focus allows us to maximize the impact of the financial investments of our members, who include individuals and institutions that care deeply about the Galapagos Islands and understand the scientific importance of preserving this extraordinary ecosystem.
Under the leadership of the Minister of the Environment, the tortoises' release was carried out by a team of park rangers, herpetologists, botanists, and veterinarians-from the Galapagos National Park (GNP), Galapagos Conservancy, the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), and the Houston Zoo.
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