News archive for 2015

• ‘Extinct’ Galapagos Tortoises Species – can they live again? | December 19th, 2015

  
  Photo: Galapagos National Park

  The discovery that tortoises on Isabela Island carry the genes of Pinta and Floreana tortoises – both species had been considered to be extinct – has aroused considerable interest and excitement in the conservation world. The possibility that over a number of generations Pinta and Floreana tortoises could be  restablished on their native islands is a bold  and intriguing idea. Find out much more with these articles:  Nature,  National Geographic,  NYTimes

• In Search of extinct Pinta & Floreana Tortoises | November 27th, 2015

  
  Lonesome George at the Charles Darwin Research Station

  A group of scientists are undertaking a trip to the Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island to see if they can locate tortoises that live there and that may be descendants of tortoises from Pinta & Floreana Islands, both thought to be extinct on those islands. Lonesome George was a Pinta tortoise. Read the story here

• Museum and Zoo Tortoises aid Captive Breeding Programmes | November 27th, 2015

  

  The American Museum of Natural History reports that tortoises in museums or zoos can be identified from their DNA back to the Galapagos Island that they came from – check it out here

• Galapagos Matters | November 15th, 2015

  

  The latest edition of Galapagos Matters is here

  Galapagos_Matters_Autumn_Winter_2015_Low_res.pdf (1.9 MiB, 818 hits)

• Blood Slurping Finches | November 15th, 2015

  

  There are two blood drinking Galapagos finches including the horrifically named vampire finch that can supplement their diets with blood from other birds. Note if you are a bit squeamish or sensitive be careful about viewing the video included in the article. The fascinating if somewhat gruesome story is to be found here

• New Galapagos Tortoise Species | November 14th, 2015

  
  Image: Washington Tapia

  A new species of tortoise is identified on Santa Cruz island – intriguingly it is not as closely related to other Santa Cruz tortoises as to those on other islands of the archipelago. Find out more in this NY Times article

• Some splendid photos of Galapagos scenes | November 14th, 2015

  
  Photo:Ryan Mallett-Outtrim

  These wonderful photos will bring back some great memories of your visit to the Galapagos islands and if you haven’t been yet they will make you want to go!

• White-vented Storm Petrel Reports | October 30th, 2015

  White-vented Storm Petrel Project of 2014 reports – links below:

  Executive Summary from the report produced for the Galapagos National Park

  WVSP_Executive_Summary.pdf (461.3 KiB, 692 hits)

  Financial Report with income and expenditure details 

  WVSP_Income__Expense_Report_2014.pdf (437.2 KiB, 699 hits)

  

   

   

   

   

• Sea-dwelling dinosaurs | October 28th, 2015

  
  Photo: Alamy

  Darwin’s discovery of miniature primaeval monsters ie marine iguanas is recounted in this Guardian article

• Education a focus in promoting a a sustainable Galapagos | October 24th, 2015

  
  Jennifer Davidson Photography

  Galapagos school engages its students with environmental schemes by incorporating the archipelago’s unique biodiversity into its curriculum – find out more here

• BirdsEye Galapagos | October 23rd, 2015

  
  Photo: Sam Rowley/CDF

  Galapagos visitors can use their smart phone and help Charles Darwin Foundation with recording information via two apps on birds they see – find out more here

• Study of Galapagos Petrel Populations for Genetic Identification on Five Islands | September 29th, 2015

  

  A study is being carried out by the Ministry of the Environment (ME),  the Galapagos National Park (GNP) and the University of San Fransisco de Quito on the Galapagos petrel. The study which will span  5 islands will help determine if there are similar genetic characteristics between the island populations and evaluate the efficacy of protection measures adopted to protect the bird about which little is known. Read this translated account issued by the Galapagos National Park – 

  Galapagos_Petrel_Study.docx (15.1 KiB, 662 hits)

• Galapagos Report | September 20th, 2015

  

  The latest Galapagos Report is produced by the Galapagos National Park Directorate, the Governing Council of Galapagos, the Charles Darwin Foundation, and Galapagos Conservancy. Produced every couple of years it covers Human Systems, Tourism, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Restoration and Marine Management in Galapagos.

• Sperm Whales Communicating in Clans | September 18th, 2015

  
  Photo: Flip Nicklen, Minden/Corbis

  National Geographic reports on a sperm whale study which has found that females with their calves habitat the ocean round Galapagos,  form clans and communicate in their own dialects using clicking sounds

• Google Street View Trekker Returns to Galapagos to Track Giant Tortoises | September 18th, 2015

  

  Giant Tortoises are now able to be viewed virtually in their natural habitat with Google’s Street View – find it here

• To Save a Mockingbird Presentation & 2015 AGM | September 3rd, 2015

  

  Presentation by Dr Luis Ortiz-Catedral – To Save a Mockingbird: Science & Capacity Building in the Galapagos Islands

  In conjunction with Friends of Galapagos NZ AGM

  Presentation by Dr Luis Ortiz-Catedral (481.7 KiB, 643 hits)

   

  Thursday 24 September 2015  AGM 5.00pm Luis’s Talk 6.00pm

  Western Springs Garden Community Hall. 956 Great North Rd, Western Springs, Ak

  Free parking & refreshments, rsvp: info@galapagos.org.nz

  www.galapagos.org.nz  
  www.facebook.com/FriendsOfGalapagosNZ
  https://twitter.com/GalapagosNz

   

• Darwin’s Finches Evolving with Insect Repellent | August 31st, 2015

  
  Image Broker/Rex

  Intriguing story from New Science on behaviour changes in some finch species in Galapagos in response to the introduced parasitic fly Philornis downsi.  Find out how finches are combating the parasite here

• Marine World Heritage Workshop in Galapagos Builds Capacity with Fishing Compliance | August 25th, 2015

  
  Galapagos National Park (18/5/2007) © Our Place/ Tui De Roy

  UNESCO Marine World Heritage Programme convenes workshop on compliance and  combating illegal fishing – find out more here and see beautiful photo taken by our Patron Tui De Roy with sea lions.

   

• Galapagos Penguins Benefit from Changes in Climate | August 15th, 2015

  

  Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers report findings of shifting winds and trade currents helping the  endangered Galapagos Penguin population double over the past 30 years after their numbers plummeted to just a few hundred birds. The wind and trade current changes have caused an enlarging of the cold pool of water where the penguins feed and breed –  find the full story here

• A Blue Whale called Isabella | August 12th, 2015

  
  Photo: Reuters/Australian Antartic Division

  Isabella, a south eastern Pacific blue whale, is helping researchers determine if blue whales breed in Galapagos waters – read more on this great story here

• National Geographic highlights Alien Animals & Tortured Seascapes off Galapagos | July 31st, 2015

  
  Photo by Ocean Exploration Trust

  Hydrothermal vents create amazing sights – find out more here

• Eco Airport for Galapagos | July 30th, 2015

  
  (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

  The world’s first ecological airport opens in Baltra with renewable energy providing all the power to run its operations – check out this great story here

• Release of 201 Giant Tortoises on Sante Fe | July 20th, 2015

  

  Tortoises back on Sante Fe island after the original subspecies went extinct – find out more here

• Nautilus Live Exploration – Return to Galapagos | July 16th, 2015

  

  Stunning video of  deep underwater explorations by the team aboard the E/V Nautilus in Galapagos waters.

• Unsettled Times in Galapagos | July 16th, 2015

  

  Legislative changes in Ecuador that affect the Galapagos archipelago are causing unrest – read more here

• Darwin’s Finch Species Limited by Number | June 28th, 2015

  
  Small Galápagos ground finch (Geospiza fuliginosa), Pinta Island, Galápagos. Image: Ruben Heleno, Univ. of Groningen

  Research shows that the number of finch species are limited with new species only emerging as others die out. This despite surprising evidence that overall the number of bird species in Galapagos is increasing – find out more here

• Fabulous Deep Sea Creatures | June 27th, 2015

  

  Wonderful pictures taken by researchers on EV Nautilus, lead by Dr Robert Ballard, of deep sea creatures in Galapagos waters and seldom seen  – take a look here:

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• Intriguing article on Tortoise Feeding Ecology | June 26th, 2015

  
  Photo by Christian Ziegler

  This is an excellent piece appearing in Biotropica on research which indicates that invasive vegetation can be beneficial for giant tortoises.

• Impressive Video of Volcan Wolf Eruption | June 16th, 2015

  Awe inspiring footage of Volcan Wolf as it erupts – from the Guardian and the National Geographic Endeavour

• NASA View of Volcan Wolf | June 16th, 2015

  
  NASA image created by Jesse Allen

  Very interesting item on Volcan Wolf  from image – with description – taken by NASA satellite in 2001. Geological features of the volcano and a puzzle on the origins of the rosada iguanas are covered in this piece from Satnews.  NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using Landsat data provided by the United States Geological Survey. Caption by Michon Scott.

• Volcan Wolf Update | May 27th, 2015

  

  Volcán Wolf reduces its activity –  edited and translated from Galapagos National Park Newsletter 27 May 2015.   During the second day of the eruption of this giant, a visual survey indicates that there has been a decrease in the amount of lava being produced. An over-flight undertaken yesterday afternoon in a navy plane, with […]

  Read more here →

• Wolf Volcano Erupts | May 26th, 2015

  

  Story from the Guardian on the eruption and potential threat to the rare and unique pink iguana

• The Greatest Underwater Show | May 23rd, 2015

  
  Marie Davies

  For the dive enthusiasts – a fascinating account of diving around the Galapagos islands.

• Galapagos Matters | May 14th, 2015

  

  Find the latest Galapagos Matters here which features an article by the Chair of FOGNZ, Julian Fitter, looking at 20 years of our sister organisation the Galapagos Conservation Trust

  Galapagos_Matters_Spring_Summer_2015_LR.pdf (2.4 MiB, 840 hits)

• CDF’S Bye Bye Birdies | May 13th, 2015

  
  The team with the birds

  The Charles Darwin Foundation Newsletter out monthly is always a good read. Check out the May edition which leads with the Mangrove Finch Project Team off to Isabella to release 8 captive reared mangrove finches.

• Galapagos Sharks, Silky Sharks & Pilot Whales | May 13th, 2015

  
  Galapagos shark (image courtesy Alp Gokgoz)

  Very interesting piece on shark behaviour in Experiment – find out about it here

• Grounded cargo ship refloated | April 30th, 2015

  
  Photo T&T Salvage

  The cargo ship Floreana after running aground earlier this year has been refloated, towed out of the Galapagos Marine Reserve and scuttled. Full report is to be found here

• Rescue Dogs Hunt Invasive Giant Snails | April 30th, 2015

  
  Photo: Rebecca Ross Dogs for Conservation

  Darwin and Neville are on the hunt for invasive and destructive giant African Snails in Galapagos  – find out the full story here

• Travel Tales from Audubon | April 21st, 2015

  
  Photo courtesy of the writers

  Stories from 3 writers who went on a boat tour of the Galapagos islands – their impressions of what they saw and experienced, the awe and appreciation they felt  are to be found here

• Finches Highlighting the Unity of Life | April 21st, 2015

  
  Paul Krawczuk/Flicker, CC BY

  Fascinating piece on Darwin’s journey with finches followed by the research of Peter and Rosemary Grant and now Leif Andersson encompassing adaptive radiation, matings between different populations and horizontal gene flow. Find it here

• Saving Landbirds in Galapagos | April 13th, 2015

  

  Great video from the Charles Darwin Foundation and Galapagos National Park showing the work being done to help save Galapagos landbirds – check it out here

• Insect & Seed Eating Birds Expand Diet to Include Flower Nectar & Pollen | March 24th, 2015

  
  Image: RUBEN H. HELENO

  Galapagos land bird species extend their diet to include flower nectar and pollen. This expansion of diet across so many species has not been previously been observed. Find out more here in this fascinating Science News article.

• How Lonesome George came to have a second life | March 17th, 2015

  
  Denis Finnin/AMNH

  Fascinating story on the taxidermist charged with preserving Lonesome George – check out article and radio podcast here

• Introduced plants and effects on diets of Galapagos Tortoises | March 17th, 2015

  

  US Geological Survey research indicates how introduced plants affect the diets of Galapagos tortoises which increases with the elevation of an island.

• Yacht checks to help protect the islands | March 17th, 2015

  
  Image: Val Ellis

  Visiting yachts now subject to stricter environmental inspection in Galapagos – find out more here

• Rat Race | February 28th, 2015

  
  Map Reproduction from Nature by @jatorre

  Mapping Conservation in the Galapagos Archipelago – see this map which shows the phases of rat eradications across the islands

• Study sheds new light on Darwin’s finches and gene that influences beak shape | February 27th, 2015

  
  Image credit: © Linda Hall Library.

  Scientists studying the evolutionary history of Galapagos finches have identified a gene that influences the beak shape of the bird – read about the findings here in this most interesting account

• IGTOA helps the Charles Darwin Foundation | February 27th, 2015

  

  The International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) contributed to the White-vented Storm Petrel Project that Friends of Galapagos New Zealand coordinated last year in Galapagos which was featured in our newsletters – they have now made a major contribution to the Charles Darwin Foundation. Well done IGTOA!  Find out more here

   

• A musical memorial for Lonesome George | February 9th, 2015

  

  A tribute to Lonesome George

• Pinzon Tortoises make a Comeback | February 8th, 2015

  
  Photo James Gibbs

  Henry Nicolls in The Guardian reports on exciting recovery of the Pinzon tortoise after rats have been eradicated from Pinzon island

• A Second Great Sardine Crash and the Blue-footed Boobie | February 8th, 2015

  
  Photo by Adam Fagen, on Flickr

  Find out here how a disappearance of sardines has affected the blue-footed boobie which in 2014 was found to have nearly stopped breeding

• Wide ranging examination of tourism in Galapagos | January 25th, 2015

  
  Newly arrived visitors transfer to their shipboard tours. Photo: Jonathan Tourtellot

  National Geographic takes a look at tourism in Galapagos how it is changing, risks it brings and impacts on the survival of the Charles Darwin Research Centre – full article is here

• Espanola Tortoises back from the brink | January 25th, 2015

  
  CC BY-SA 3.0 Wikimedia

  Very positive story of the recovery of the Espanola tortoises down to 15 individuals and now their numbers exceed 1,000 – find out more here

• Floreana Mockingbird 2014 Field Season Update | January 23rd, 2015

  

  Check out another great update from FOGNZ committee member Luis Ortiz-Catedral on the Florana Mockingbird Project.

  Floreana_Mockingbird_2014._An_update.pdf (1.3 MiB, 741 hits)

  And a bonus with a photo case study of the field work here

• Gentle Giants aka Whale Sharks being Tagged to Help Save Them | January 17th, 2015

  

  Much is unknown about the whale sharks found in Galapagos waters including where they mate, give birth and spend the first years of their lives. Tagging of the species is take place to see if answers can be found to some of these mysteries. The research is being supported by our sister organisation, Galapagos Conservation Trust. Find out more with this link