Floreana is the sixth largest island in Galapagos and used to be home to some of the most iconic species in the Archipelago, including the Floreana mockingbird, Floreana racer snake and Floreana giant tortoise. Around 150 years ago, however, the first human settlers arrived on the island, and since then its magnificent wildlife has come under threat from invasive species such as rats and feral cats. We are working to restore Floreana to its former glory.
55
vertebrate species listed between Vulnerable and Critically Endangered
12
species are locally extinct, including the Floreana mockingbird
5
Critically Endangered species, incuding the Galapagos petrel
On Floreana, the introduction of invasive species, including rats and feral cats, has had devastating effects on the island’s local wildlife, with 55 native vertebrate species currently listed from Vulnerable through to Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Twelve species are locally extinct on the island, including the Floreana mockingbird and Floreana racer snake. Floreana was identified by experts as one of the top five globally important islands where threatened species would benefit from an invasive mammal eradication, which would also support sustainable socio-economic development in the local community of around 160 people.
Every seed I help germinate, every plant I sow or care for, is an act of deep respect and love for this island where I was born.
GCT is supporting Fundación Jocotoco, Island Conservation, Charles Darwin Foundation, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Galapagos National Park Directorate and other partners to undertake one of the largest, and most complex, restoration projects ever conducted on an inhabited tropical island, with the ultimate aim of reintroducing locally extinct species to Floreana to help restore the ecosystem.
In late 2023, the first phase of the invasive species eradication removed most of Floreana’s rats and feral cats. There have already been dramatic results, including native bird species rebounding and significant increases in the numbers of native snails, lizards and geckos. To get to this point, the project required over a decade of planning and pooled expertise to minimise risks to native species, domestic livestock and pets, and the Floreana community. Likewise, risks to wildlife from pets, livestock and human activities have required stronger management, such as neutering campaigns, infrastructure improvements and stricter biosecurity rules to prevent the return of rats. Biodiversity baselines were collected before the eradication, so the ecological impact can be measured, including baselines for invertebrates that will be important prey for reintroduced land birds.
GCT has been supporting, and continues to support, activities across all of these areas, whilst ensuring training opportunities with National Park rangers and young Ecuadorian researchers are funded. We are also funding work to replant native vegetation to provide sufficient habitat, and we have supported research across several species to help inform reintroduction plans.
There are three key phases of the programme:
The entire global population of the Floreana mockingbird is restricted to two small islets off the coast of Floreana. Numbers fluctuate dramatically between 250-500 individuals due to extreme weather events, and the species is currently listed by the IUCN as Endangered. Unfortunately, these two small islets, Gardner and Champion, are extremely isolated from one another. Previous research has suggested that the population on Champion is highly inbred and harbours valuable genetic diversity not found on Gardner (20km away), as these two populations have not been in contact for over 100 years.
The Floreana Mockingbird Reintroduction Action Plan aims to prevent further loss of genetic diversity as well as to reduce mortality, including understanding why nests fail and how to reduce juvenile mortality rates caused by introduced species. The project team, led by Dr Luis Ortiz-Catedral, has detected that the population, although declining, is more stable than first thought, and the yearly fluctuations in numbers are closely linked to the amount of rainfall at the start of the breeding season. Early investigations have also shown that the availability of Opuntia megasperma flowers during January and February is linked to chick survival and insect availability.
In order to prepare Floreana for the reintroduction of the mockingbirds, GCT is supporting the Galapagos Verde 2050 project, led by the Charles Darwin Foundation, which has identified key lowland areas on Floreana for reforestation of native vegetation.
The team are working to create an ecological corridor made up of 11 different plant species, which will provide vital shelter, nesting sites and food for the Floreana mockingbird, along with several of the other species being reintroduced to the island.
Help us to restore Floreana to its former glory and bring back its missing wildlife by donating today.
