Galapagos Matters Autumn/Winter 2018

GALAPAGOSMATTERS Iguana kingdom DEEP SEA INCUBATORS Invasive species

AUTUMN | WINTER 2018

galapagosconservation.org.uk

GALAPAGOSMATTERS

CONTENTS

Cover Galapagos giant tortoises are iconic species in the Islands. While they are under threat from invasive species such as fire ants, they could, themselves, be spreading non-native plants including guava. © Jonathan Green

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Wild

Galapagos

Galapagos

18-19

News

Iguanas in the clouds Land iguanas thrive throughout the Archipelago, except on Santiago where they went extinct in the early 20th century. Luis Ortiz-Catedral investigates what it will take to reintroduce them nearly 100 years later.

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UK

News

Project Updates

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Skates in hot water The existence of deep-sea hydrothermal vents was only confirmed in the 1970s so there is still a lot to learn about this unique environment. Therefore, the discovery of skate egg cases close to the Galapagos Rift caused great excitement for Leigh Marsh and her team.

Global relevance Over two-thirds of Hawaii’s bird species are now extinct and many of them have been wiped out by introduced diseases. GCT Ambassador Godfrey Merlen is worried that the same will happen in Galapagos if we do not act soon.

21-23 Merchandise Membership, Reviews, Events and

Sowing seeds in Galapagos Galapagos giant tortoises shape their habitats as they go. As Steve Blake and Diego Ellis Soto explain, however, they are also inadvertently spreading invasive plant species.

CONTRIBUTORS

Luis Ortiz-Catedral is a conservation biologist at Massey University in New Zealand. Since 2010, he has worked with the Galapagos National Park monitoring and researching the biology of Floreana mockingbirds and Galapagos racers. Since 2012, he has also been working on land iguanas.

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Leigh Marsh is an independent deepsea ecologist and visiting research fellow at the University of Southampton. Leigh’s work uses submarine robots to explore and map our deep oceans.

She is currently the acting scientific lead for the Seamount and Deepsea Ecosystems Project at the Charles Darwin Foundation.

Having worked in Central Africa for over 15 years on a variety of conservation issues, Steve Blake moved to Galapagos in 2008. He established the Giant Tortoise Movement Ecology Programme (GTMEP) to conduct research on the movements of Galapagos tortoises.

Diego Ellis Soto works at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology researching bioinformatics, biologging, spatial ecology and macroecology. Previously he worked with Steve Blake on the GTMEP in Galapagos, and became hooked on the study of animal movement.

GCT Ambassador Godfrey Merlen has lived in Galapagos for over 40 years, starting out as a volunteer at the Charles Darwin Research Station. He is passionate about preventing the arrival of new invasive species in Galapagos and is a member of the Committee for the Fund for Control of Invasive Species in Galapagos.

FROM THE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

by Sharon Johnson

© GCT

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e really enjoyed watching our President, Monty Halls’, latest documentary My Family and the Galapagos this summer (p.12). The series focussed on the wonders of the Archipelago but also on a range of issues facing the Islands, including some of the key threats that we are working to prevent such as the impacts of invasive species and marine plastic pollution.

Invasive species are a major issue in Galapagos affecting a range of wildlife, as our Ambassador Godfrey Merlen writes on page 20. They are a key threat to Galapagos giant tortoises, with fire ants and pigs destroying nests and predating eggs and hatchlings. These iconic species, however, may inadvertently be spreading invasive plant species themselves (pp. 16-17).

Giant tortoise populations also face increasing conflict with the human population of the Islands.

Infrastructure, such as roads and buildings often cut off tortoise migration routes which impacts their ability to breed and forage effectively.

Our autumn appeal will be raising money for the Galapagos Tortoise Movement Ecology Programme (GTMEP) to continue their vital conservation work (p. 22).

Renowned as a ‘living laboratory’, many scientists in Galapagos are using cutting-edge science and technology to help conserve the Islands’ unique wildlife and habitats.

An exciting discovery was made in the deep-sea hydrothermal vents near the Galapagos Rift recently, which would not have been possible without the use of a remotely operated vehicle (pp. 18-19).

This year’s Galapagos Day on 10 October 2018 (p. 23) will be celebrating the innovations and conservation breakthroughs that scientists are making in Galapagos.

We will hear about how the GTMEP is tracking tortoise hatchlings using the International Space Station, and how we are using new drone technology to survey for plastics in the Archipelago. I took park in the first ever drone surveys this summer and we are really excited about how this new technology can help us more effectively reduce marine plastic pollution across the Islands.

Earlier this year, along with our partners at the Galapagos Science Center, we ran a successful plastics workshop in Galapagos. A wide range of stakeholders attended and discussed the sources of plastic

pollution, the risks to wildlife and the solutions including behaviour change (p. 15). We are now discussing with the Galapagos National Park about how we can support them to make Galapagos plastic pollution free.

This workshop would not have been possible without the donations to last year’s Plastics Appeal so thank you to everyone who so generously donated.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who donated to this year’s spring appeal to raise money to restore Floreana.

We raised over £20,000 which will ensure endangered species present on Floreana are protected during the project’s eradication phase, as well as helping to plan for reintroductions of locally extinct species.

There are still tickets available for Galapagos Day so I hope to see you there! Thank you for your ongoing support and I hope you enjoy this latest issue of Galapagos Matters.

Sharon Johnson

Galapagos Matters is a copyright biannual publication produced for members of the Galapagos Conservation Trust.

The information in this issue was ISSN 2050-6074 Galapagos Matters Designer: Clare Simm obtained from various sources, all is printed on paper made from well Printer: Bishops Printers of which have extensive knowledge managed forests and controlled Charles Darwin Suite, of Galapagos, but neither GCT nor sources.

28 Portland Place, London W1B 1LY the contributors are responsible Editor: Henry Nicholls 020 7399 7440 for the accuracy of the contents Chief Executive: Sharon Johnson gct@gct.org or the opinions expressed herein.

Communications and Marketing www.galapagosconservation.org.uk Manager: Clare Simm

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WILD GALAPAGOS Caroline Marmion saw this ghost crab on La Playita beach on Isabela. Instead of making a hasty retreat as she approached, it stopped like a rabbit caught in the headlights of a car. The species is named for its elusive behaviour and often the only sign of them is the little balls of sand that they leave as they search for algal and animal detritus. This fantastic image won overall third place in our 2018 photography competition.

Our 2019 calendar is now available containing this, and other awe-inspiring images from our 2018 Galapagos photography competition. You can find out more on page 23. Our 2019 photography competition will be open from late October so don’t forget to enter your Galapagos images!

AUTUMN | WINTER 2019

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GALAPAGOS

NEWS

SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN

© Andy Donnelly

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alapagos is in a perfect position to show how the growing problem of plastic pollution in our oceans can be handled, say scientists. So it was great news that, on Sunday 22 April 2018 as part of Earth Day celebrations on the Islands, the Galapagos Governing Council (CGREG) passed a new resolution to restrict single-use plastics in the Islands, leading the way in the fight against plastic pollution in our oceans.

The ban is being phased in gradually.

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Plastic straws were prohibited in May 2018 and single-use shopping bags were banned in July. In October the CGREG will prevent the use of Styrofoam containers (like those used for takeways) and in February 2019 they will tackle single-use plastic bottles containing fizzy drinks.

These developments form part of the CGREG’s ambition to make Galapagos plastic pollution-free once again. CGREG will be working with a range of partners including Ecuadorian Government

Ministries, Galapagos National Park, local agencies, scientists, NGOs and the local community to ensure that the plan is successful across the inhabited islands.

GCT is supporting this partnership by raising funds and awareness in the UK, leveraging international expertise and assisting with the critical science and educational campaigns necessary to make the vision of a ‘Galapagos Sin Plasticos’ (Galapagos without plastics) a reality (see pp. 14-15).

VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS

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here have been two major volcanic eruptions in Galapagos so far in 2018. Starting on 16 June, La Cumbre volcano on Fernandina began to erupt. Just 11 days later, following two large earthquakes, Sierra Negra on Isabela also erupted. While Fernandina is uninhabited, a small number of residents on Isabela were evacuated and visitors were banned from going to the popular tourist area for several days.

Fernandina is the youngest and most volcanically active island in the Archipelago (see pp. 8-11). The last time La Cumbre erupted was in September 2017. Sierra Negra is one of the most active volcanoes on Isabela, last erupting in 2005, though Wolf Volcano, also on Isabela, erupted more recently in 2015. Work being undertaken by the University of Cambridge and the University of Leeds is improving the ability to anticipate these eruptions. While they are currently unable to predict eruptions with certainty, they knew that both these volcanoes were showing signs of unrest.

© Galapagos National Park

GALAPAGOS MARTIN AFFECTED BY PHILORNIS

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© David Anchundia/CDF

ore than a dozen pupae of the parasitic fly Philornis downsi have been found in a nest of a Galapagos martin on Isabela, report ornithologists from the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF). The discovery adds another species to the long list of endemic birds that are being attacked by this invasive species.

These endangered martins are only found in low numbers and little is known about their biology or natural history, which makes it hard to conserve them against potential threats.

They nest in cliffs next to the sea and their nests are therefore hard to find and monitor.

CDF and the Galapagos National Park now plan to inspect more nests to evaluate the impact of Philornis downsi on the population.

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e were very sad to hear the news that our friend and colleague Felipe Cruz (right) passed away in August. Born to one of the first families to settle in Galapagos on Floreana island, Felipe was a passionate conservationist, driven to protect his home Islands for their unique biodiversity and for future generations. Through his various roles at the Galapagos National Park and Charles Darwin Foundation, he played a significant role in some of the largest ecosystem restoration projects.

Felipe was a close collaborator with GCT since we were set up in 1995. His memory will always be in the hearts of the Galapagos conservation community. He has left a huge legacy for the Islands and his family, including his beloved son Rashid. You can read our full obituary online: bit.ly/2N1lfPo

SHARK ABUNDANCE

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onservationists are using local knowledge to work out how the abundance of shark species is changing over time. By surveying dive guides and other locals who regularly visit the Galapagos Marine Reserve, researchers have determined that since the 1980s there has been a decline in the population of hammerhead, whitetip and silky sharks, that whale shark numbers have remained stable and that the blacktip shark population has started to increase.

When compared to existing data from previous research, these results were found to be reasonably accurate showing that local knowledge can provide valuable insights into the historical trends of species abundance.

© Anne Guezou

© Richard Lewisohn

FELIPE CRUZ OBITUARY

SEXING PENGUINS

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here is a new, non-invasive and reliable way to sex a Galapagos penguin, according to scientists from the University of Washington. Like all penguin species, Galapagos penguins lack external genitalia, the two sexes look similar and both incubate eggs and rear offspring. Until recently, the only way to distinguish males and females was to take a blood sample.

It turns out, however, that a ruler is all that’s needed, as males consistently have thicker beaks than females, report scientists in the journal Endangered Species Research. This new technique will speed up data collection during field work. It will be important for studies looking at how the two sexes are affected by threats such as shifting climatic conditions.

WORLD TURTLE DAY

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CT members have helped two young graduates of Ecology Project International’s Mola Mola eco-club, Ibrahi Rodriguez (left) and Erick Ojeda, design their own project to engage young people on Isabela island with Galapagos green turtle conservation. Taking what they had learned from their time in the eco-club, they led a turtle monitoring field experience for young people and supported them to deliver their very own World Turtle Day event reporting their findings to their community. Well done to Ibrahi and Erick for inspiring our future Galapagos conservationists!

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IGUANAS IN THE CLOUDS

by Luis Ortiz-Catedral

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bite from a land iguana can be a very painful matter.

They munch through cactus pads, spines and all, they can pierce through each other’s skin during a fight and they could easily take off a finger.

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The reptile, however, is being skilfully handled by “iguanero” Johannes Ramirez, a Galapagos National Park (GNP) ranger with special expertise working with iguanas. We work quickly to avoid causing the animal undue stress. We must work out its sex and approximate age, record its length and weight, and insert a tiny electronic identity tag under the skin on the left thigh. We must also examine its overall condition, noting any bite marks, missing claws and colouration, and take three mugshots, all in a matter of minutes.

Johannes has just released the 109th iguana caught during this two-day fieldtrip.

This is a new record. It is not that we are becoming faster at processing them, it’s that we are in the right place at the right time. We are on the edge of La Cumbre, a massive volcanic crater on the island

of Fernandina, one of the most active volcanoes in the Archipelago (see p. 7), and female land iguanas have come here in search of soft soil in which to lay their eggs.

This is my fourth visit to Fernandina since 2012, when I began a joint project with the GNP to study the population dynamics, habitat use and movements of land iguanas on the island, which is one of the most pristine in the Archipelago. Our project seeks to identify the factors that influence the numbers of these long-lived herbivores that can survive on an island like this. The vegetation cover is constantly shifting due to variable rainfall, seed dispersal by native and introduced species, and the ever-present volcanic eruptions.

If we can understand how Fernandina’s iguana population changes in response to the vegetation, we will be able to predict

The 109 iguanas we have captured and handled so far are true survivors.

© Luis Ortiz-Catedral

© Luis Ortiz-Catedral

Land iguanas near La Cumbre volcano, Fernandina.

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IGUANAS IN THE CLOUDS their distribution in coming years and will be better placed to assist in the conservation of these impressive reptiles.

In the clouds, at 1,300 m above sea level, La Cumbre is an important place for these iguanas. Males hold territories near the summit, which is where mating occurs. However, there is also soft soil in which to lay eggs and when the nesting season comes around, it is the females that compete for space. As soon as all the nesting sites are taken, any late-coming females have no choice but to descend almost 500 m into the crater to lay their eggs.

After an incubation period of almost three months, the emerging hatchlings rush for cover in an effort to avoid a suite of predators that lie in wait, including Galapagos hawks, racer snakes, short-eared owls and barn owls. The 109 iguanas we have surveyed so far are true survivors.

These are the largest herbivores on Fernandina, acting just as Galapagos giant tortoises do on other islands, dispersing seeds of many plants and grazing the vegetation. They can even reshape the landscape, digging intricate burrows many metres long in which to shelter from the blistering sun.

Like many other Galapagos species, land iguanas are highly susceptible to introduced predators. When Charles Darwin visited Santiago island in 1835, he struggled to find a spot to pitch his tent due to the high density of land iguana burrows. Yet within 100 years, this species had vanished from Santiago owing to the pressures imposed by feral pigs and dogs.

On Fernandina, there are no introduced vertebrates (other than the odd smooth-billed ani), making this the perfect place to study the natural ecology of this species. This research will help the GNP manage land iguanas on Fernandina but it could also inform efforts to reintroduce the species to Santiago in the not-toodistant future.

For now, the sun is setting on this iguana kingdom.

“Should we catch one more?” asks Johannes. He has his eye on a large iguana under a Scalesia tree. We have just one microchip left, I tell him. He smiles and we prepare to collect one more set of data.

LAND IGUANA

© Luis Ortiz-Catedral

English name: Land iguana Latin name: (Conolophus subcristatus) Size: 75 - 111 cm Weight (adults): 4 - 8.5 kg Lifespan: up to 50 years Conservation status: Vulnerable

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© Luis Ortiz-Catedral

The crater of La Cumbre volcano on Fernandina has steep sides, and is dangerous for any females that have to descend into it to lay their eggs.

IGUANA KINGDOM

Š Luis Ortiz-Catedral

Land iguanas have adapated to feed on cactus pads, ingesting spines and all.

Š Luis Ortiz-Catedral

Searching for land iguanas on Fernandina, one of the most pristine islands in Galapagos.

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UK

NEWS © Seadog TV & Film Productions

MY FAMILY AND THE GALAPAGOS

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his summer we were treated to My Family and the Galapagos a Channel 4 programme made by, and starring, GCT President Monty Halls. Monty took his wife, Tam, and their two daughters, Molly, three, and Isla, five, to Galapagos for three months last year to showcase the wonders of the Archipelago, but also to highlight the conservation work that is being done to conserve its unique wildlife.

Amongst the projects that the family visited were some that we support with your help. In Episode 1, Tam spent time with our partner Juan Pablo (JP) Muñoz from the Galapagos Science Center looking at the issue of plastic pollution. We are working with JP to investigate where marine plastic pollution is coming from, and how best to clean it up. In Episode 3, Monty searched for bullhead sharks with Max Hirschfeld, as part of the Bullhead Shark Project which we have been funding since 2015. Max is close to discovering how the bullhead sharks found in Galapagos are related to those found along the coast of mainland South America. Monty also joined an expedition to tag sharks found near Darwin and Wolf islands, which is where suspected pregnant female whale sharks are found.

GCT’s Communications and Marketing Manager, Clare Simm, was lucky enough to spend some time with the family while they were filming. In Episode 2, they cut down an introduced balsa tree, which can outcompete native Scalesia trees, in the garden of their house. She commented, “My favourite bit of the day was talking to the girls about what they had learned after a few weeks of living on Santa Cruz. While Isla reminisced about Galapagos sea lions, Molly was more upset by the lack of mermaids.”

THANK YOU PETER!

was an invaluable member of the GCT team and, on behalf of all those that worked with him over the years, we would like to say a massive thank you to Peter for all of his hard work.

ere at GCT, we are lucky to have had the support of many dedicated volunteers since the Trust started and we just could not do what we do without their help. Earlier this year, Peter Robinson, one of our longest serving volunteers, retired after 12 years. During his time, he has seen GCT grow and change as an organisation. However, he was always willing to help the office team in a wide variety of administration tasks. He

We are now looking for new volunteers to support the administration duties of the Trust. We are especially looking for people with experience in databases, IT, filing and administration, and who are able to commit to one day a week at the GCT office in London for the foreseeable future. If you are interested in joining as a volunteer then see page 21 for more details.

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n July this year, we held our Oceans Garden Party.

This was an evening to celebrate the unique marine life of Galapagos as well as to fundraise for our shark conservation programme. We were very pleased to be joined by His Excellency the Ambassador of Ecuador, Carlos Abad and His Excellency the Ambassador of Costa Rica, Enrique Castillo who talked about the importance of protecting migration routes of sharks outside of marine protected areas, particularly between the Galapagos National Park and Cocos Island National Park in Costa Rica (see page 13 for more information).

The key speakers at the event were Mark Brownlow, Series Producer of BBC Blue Planet II, Orla Doherty, Producer of BBC Blue Planet II and GCT partner Jonathan Green, Founder of the Galapagos Whale Shark Project (GWSP). Mark and Orla revealed what happened behindthe-scenes during the filming of Blue Planet II and Jonathan updated us on the GWSP, which GCT has been supporting for a number of years.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on the evening, and to those who donated towards this significant project.

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From left: Orla Doherty, Mark Brownlow, GCT Chief Executive Sharon Johnson and Jonathan Green.

© Akemi Yokoyama

OCEANS GARDEN PARTY

PROJECT

UPDATES

PROTECTING MIGRATORY SHARKS

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CT is excited to be supporting a project that will build the case for the creation of a marine protected area (MPA) linking the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) to the waters of the Cocos Island National Park in Costa Rica. Our partners MigraMar and the Galapagos Whale Shark Project will be integral in the establishment of the ‘Galapagos-Cocos Swimway’, or ‘MigraVia Coco-Galapagos’ as it’s known in Spanish.

The dedicated shark sanctuary in the north of the GMR, created

by Ecuador in 2016, is home to the highest abundance of sharks anywhere in the world, including schools of endangered scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks. Around 700 km northeast of the GMR lies the Cocos Island National Park of Costa Rica, where the surrounding waters are also protected due to its incredibly diverse marine life.

The MPAs that surround Galapagos and Cocos offer vital protection of key habitats for sharks, including nursery grounds.

However several endangered shark species found in these waters are also migratory, leaving them vulnerable to threats from industrial fleets that lie in wait beyond the MPA boundaries for sharks and other migratory marine life to stray out of safety.

Preliminary data collected by our partners at MigraMar, a network of marine scientists in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, has provided evidence of migrations between Galapagos and Cocos along a submarine mountain chain, the ‘Cocos Ridge’. This, in combination with growing political support to strengthen Ecuador and Costa Rica’s collaborative conservation efforts over nearly two decades, resulted in the signing of a framework cooperation agreement in

April 2018. Their intention to establish a protected ‘GalapagosCocos Swimway’ between the two national parks, based on the collection of concrete scientific evidence, represents the first ever bilateral approach to protecting the ocean.

We are supporting our partners to use satellite tags and stereo videography to look at movement and distribution patterns in the swimway, which should confirm whether vulnerable species like endangered sharks and turtles really are navigating between these islands. Given that targeted shark fisheries are not officially recognised in Ecuador, with over 200,000 sharks being landed and legally declared as ‘bycatch’ there each year, we are also collecting data on population trends that will inform what would be a ‘sustainable’ level of shark bycatch. If the swimway can be implemented and bycatch better regulated, populations of sharks and other migratory species in this region will stand a much greater chance of survival.

We need your support to help make the swimway a reality. To donate to this project, please visit https://bit.ly/2wuiRKF. Other partners on the project include the Galapagos National Park, Galapagos Science Center, University San Francisco de Quito and PACIFICO.

© MigraMar

The proposed swimway between the Galapagos National Park and Cocos Island National Park would protect endangered shark species as well as other migratory marine species including green turtles.

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MANGROVE FINCH PROJECT UPDATE

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also ongoing research from the Philornis Project which is looking at potential large-scale control techniques that could produce a more viable method for protecting mangrove finches.

The Mangrove Finch Project is a bi-institutional project carried out by the Charles Darwin Foundation and Galapagos National Park in collaboration with San Diego Zoo Global, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Auckland Zoo. The project is supported by Galapagos Conservation Trust, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Marguerite Griffith-Jones, GESS Charitable Trust, Decoroom Limited, Holbeck Charitable Trust, Friends of the Galapagos Switzerland and Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust.

A female mangrove finch collecting nesting material.

PLASTIC-FREE ALTERNATIVES

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lastic pollution poses a serious threat to the wildlife of Galapagos. Tackling this issue is currently a high priority across the Archipelago. The Galapagos Governing Council recently announced a phase-out ban on single-use plastics on the Islands (see p. 6) but we must also ensure local Galapagos communities and tourists recognise how their actions can contribute to solving the issue, and that sustainable alternative solutions are readily available. GCT has therefore prioritised this as a vital element of our Plastic Pollution Free Galapagos Programme.

With our partners at Grupo Eco Cultural Organizado (GECO) and OrcaTec, we are currently supporting a sustainable initiative to reduce the number of plastic bags being used across the four inhabited islands. The long-term goal is to encourage shoppers to adopt reusable bags made by local artisans. Through this initiative, shop owners who currently provide plastic bags will be given free, sturdy paper bags made from recycled materials, as long as they invest in and promote the locally-made reusable bags in their store. They must also agree to charge $0.50 for each paper bag, incentivising shoppers to make a one-off purchase, i.e. of the reusable bag, as opposed to paying for a paper bag each time they shop. This initiative is being trialled in 250 stores across the Islands.

We are also supporting a simple and effective initiative to reduce plastic waste from hot and cold drinks on the Islands. ‘Iguana Cups’ are reusable and made of 100% recycled materials. They have been created to promote a ‘zero-waste’ model to locals and tourists through a deposit-return scheme. The customer pays $2 for the cup, which is then refunded to them if they give the cup back to any participating store. Participating businesses will be easily identifiable through display of the Iguana Cup logo. We also hope the presence of the Iguana Cup branding will reinforce sustainable messaging across the Islands, promoting further behaviour-change.

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FROM SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS

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n May 2018, in collaboration with the Galapagos Science Center, GCT ran a ‘From Science to Solutions’ plastics workshop on the Islands. It brought together local stakeholders and experts from our Galapagos Day 2017 plastics panel to discuss the vital next steps for plastics management in Galapagos. The results will be used in the development of a five-year management strategy, including finding alternatives to single-use plastics. We are delighted to say that the workshop was a huge success, with representatives from at least twelve organisations taking part throughout the week. You can find out more about the workshop in the infographic on page 15.

GECO demonstrate locally-made, resuable bags at a fair about sustainable alternatives to plastics. © GECO

The Iguana Cup scheme aims to encourage responsible plastic usage on the Islands.

© Tui de Roy

n 2017/18, we continued our support for the Mangrove Finch Project, which is working to conserve this critically endangered species. For the last four years, Francesca Cunninghame and her team from the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) have been rearing chicks in captivity and then releasing them back into the wild, a process known as ‘head-starting’. Thirty nine fledglings have successfully been added to the wild population, which only has 20 breeding pairs, increasing the number of juvenile finches by over 50%. Excitingly, four of the captive-reared chicks were seen during the 2018 breeding season, including one female from 2016 which reared three chicks with a male from the wild population.

This year, however, the team, in agreement with project partners and collaborators, decided to focus their efforts on protecting nestlings in their natural nests during the two-month peak of the breeding season. With ongoing control of introduced rats reducing predation to low levels, the main cause of mangrove finch nest failure is the invasive fly, Philornis downsi. Following successful trials in 2017, the team, with logistical support from the Galapagos National Park, spent the 2018 field season injecting the bases of the nests with an insecticide, permethrin, to destroy the P. downsi larvae that parasitise mangrove finch chicks. This is only a short-term strategy – there is ongoing research into the most effective method to control P. downsi – but it involves fewer resources than head-starting the chicks.

Fifteen nests from nine pairs were injected at the base. While no negative effects to the birds were shown in the trials with permethrin, great care was taken to ensure that the chicks and/or eggs were not exposed to the solution. Results from the season were mostly positive. Seven birds successfully fledged from three injected nests that initially had the presence of P. downsi proving that the insecticide successfully killed the parasites. Sadly, in three nests injections were ineffective at killing the larvae, and the nests were found either empty or with dead chicks. However, combined with 14 fledglings from injected nests in 2017, a minimum of 21 chicks have survived in the wild from treated nests.

The next step is to evaluate whether this method should be used again next year instead of, or alongside, head-starting. This assessment is being undertaken by CDF with partners San Diego Zoo Global and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. There is

Designed by Lisa Brown

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SOWING SEEDS IN GALAPAGOS

by Steve Blake and Diego Ellis Soto

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Before the arrival of humans in Galapagos almost 500 years ago, the seed dispersal provided by Galapagos giant tortoises surely played a significant role in shaping the distribution of plants across the Islands. More recently, tortoises have probably also assisted the spread of introduced species. Most of these recent arrivals are benign and do not have a significant impact on endemic and native species. What if, however, tortoises are unwittingly helping in the spread of invasive plant species that are capable of transforming the composition and function of a local ecosystem?

One of the most aggressive invasive tree species in Galapagos, and on other Pacific islands like Hawaii, is guava (Psidium guajava), known throughout the world as a particularly difficult species to control. Guava grows well in moist soils and is most abundant in the humid highlands of many islands in Galapagos. On Santa Cruz, guava occurs from the humid highlands down to about 100 m above sea level. Any lower and the conditions appear to be too dry for germination though that may not always be the case.

In previous work, we have shown that giant tortoises often prefer to eat invasive plants

over endemic and native species, and guava appears to be a particular favourite. In the inhospitable lowlands, we frequently find piles of tortoise dung full of guava seeds.

Although these do not appear to be viable at present, the climate in Galapagos is constantly changing and most models predict warmer and wetter conditions in decades to come, with increased rainfall in the lowlands.

Š GTMEP

single pile of tortoise dung may contain more than five thousands seeds. Owing to the huge amounts of fruit a tortoise consumes, its slow pace of digestion and the large distances it covers, a seed that has passed through the gut of a giant tortoise may find itself many kilometres from its parent plant.

Galapagos tortoises may deposit several thousand seeds from up to nine plant species in a single dung pile.

© GTMEP

Are tortoises sowing the seeds for a massive spread of guava in coming decades, as a wetter climate creeps further and further down the elevation of the island?

In order to address this question, we began by counting the number of guava seeds in tortoise dung found from sea level up to 400 m elevation.

We mapped the distribution of guava trees along the same elevation gradient. Finally, with an understanding of the conditions under which guava thrives and how the climate will change, we were able to build a model to predict how the area suitable for guava is likely to increase from now until 2070.

A single pile of tortoise dung typically contains several thousand guava seeds. Since tortoises feeding on guava in the humid highlands poo every day as they migrate to the lowlands, it was of little surprise to find guava seeds in tortoise scats at all elevations. So if, as climate models predict, the front of moisture creeps down each island towards the sea over time, it looks like there will be guava seeds ready and waiting in nutrient-rich ‘grow bags’ of tortoise excrement.

Other species, such as lizards and finches, also disperse guava seeds, but in far fewer numbers and over far smaller distances. It is the giant tortoises then that appear to be facilitating the invasion of one of the more disruptive alien invasive species in Galapagos.

Ecosystem engineers like Galapagos giant tortoises have a profound ecological role. Their activities have likely shaped the distribution of plants, the animals that depend on them, the balance of light and shade, and other important resources that help an ecosystem to function effectively. However, these same ecosystem services that the tortoises provide can be exploited by invasive species like the guava, whose trees are using giant tortoises to ferry their seeds far beyond their current range. At present, we do not know how this ecological battle will play out. However, the pace of climate change is sufficiently rapid that within the next decade we should have a clearer idea whether our predictions are being borne out.

Diego will be speaking about tracking tortoises at this year’s Galapagos Day on 10 October 2018. Find out more on page 23! © GTMEP

There will be guava seeds ready and waiting in nutrient-rich ‘grow bags’ of tortoise excrement.

This immature guava tree was almost certainly brought here by tortoises. Without intensive and costly management, this area could soon be converted into a dense stand of guava forest.

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SKATES IN HOT WATER

by Leigh Marsh

H

ercules landed on a ridge on the seafloor, just north of a hydrothermal vent on the Galapagos Rift (p. 19). As we manoeuvred the remotely operated vehicle through a plume of black smoke being emitted by the vent, we were stunned to see images of a number of large, green egg cases commonly known as mermaid’s purses.

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GALAPAGOS MATTERS

Examining the egg cases more closely, we could see that there were not just a few, but layer upon layer. Some of them were greenish, an indication that they had been laid more recently. Others appeared to be darker, so the embryos inside were likely to be more developed. Some looked as though they had hatched out completely. Whatever was laying these egg cases had been doing so year after year, and it was probably not just one individual.

This was one of many discoveries made during a 2015 expedition carried out by the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Ocean Exploration Trust and an international team of researchers. Our aim was to use the Hercules remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to get close to the high-temperature “black-smokers” in and around an active hydrothermal field inside the Galapagos Marine Reserve approximately 45 km north of Darwin island.

We wanted to explore and sample the highly-evolved animal communities living in this other-worldly environment, but it’s fair to say that nobody had been expecting to find these egg cases.

From high-definition video footage, we were able to identify 157 egg cases and collected four specimens with the ROV’s robotic arm. These were sent for DNA analysis, which revealed that they belonged to the Pacific white skate (Bathyraja spinosissima), one of the deepest-dwelling species of skate and one previously not known to occur near vents.

Using the positional and temperature data obtained from the ROV’s sensors, we were able to map the locality of each of the egg cases in relation to the hydrothermal vent environment. We found that the majority of the egg cases observed were found within 20 m of the chimney-like black smokers, the hottest area of a hydrothermal vent field, and almost 90% had been laid in places where the water was significantly warmer than background water temperature at this depth.

This led us to believe that the skates may be using the warmer temperatures in the area to speed up the incubation of their eggs.

There are only two known examples of animals using volcanically heated soils to incubate their eggs: the modern-day Polynesian megapode, a rare bird native to Tonga; and a group of nest-building dinosaurs from the Cretaceous Period.

As far as we know, this is the first time incubating behaviour using a volcanic heat source has been recorded in the marine environment. Hydrothermal vents are extreme environments, with high-temperature fluids and low oxygen levels that are likely to challenge species that have not evolved to live in these conditions. This observation is one of very few that demonstrates a link between the hydrothermal vent environment and animals that live most of their life elsewhere in the oceans.

Owing to their long lifespan and slow rate of development at ambient deepwater temperatures, these skates may be

HYDROTHERMAL VENTS

I

n 1977, scientists demonstrated the existence of deep-sea hydrothermal vents at the Galapagos Rift, some 600 km northeast of the Archipelago and more than 1 km below the surface. As if this discovery wasn’t exciting enough, the photos revealed a strange habitat teeming with otherworldly life: clams, giant tube worms, anemones and much more besides.

Scientists already knew about the existence of the mid-ocean ridge before the discovery of hydrothermal vents. In the 40 years since their original discovery, we now know that many sections of global mid-ocean ridge host hydrothermal vents. The Galapagos Rift is part of the global oceanic spreading ridge system, a series of faults and fractures on the deep ocean floor where molten mantle material emerges to create new oceanic crust. The water that emanates from these vents is mostly seawater drawn through faults in the seafloor, super-heated by a magma chamber and released back into the ocean. When the scalding, sulphide-rich water drifts from chimney-like vents, it resembles black smoke, which is why these structures are commonly referred to as “black smokers”.

© Ocean Exploration Trust

Black-smoker hydrothermal vent chimney in the deep waters near the Galapagos Islands. © Ocean Exploration Trust

particularly sensitive to threats to their environment. With seafloor mining at some hydrothermal vents about to start, this is especially pertinent. It is imperative that we improve our knowledge and understanding of the development and habitat use of such species which will be vital for developing effective conservation strategies. More broadly, it is clear that we still have a lot to fathom about this deep-sea ecosystem.

Using the ROV’s robotic arm, the team collected four egg cases for DNA analysis.

Over 150 egg cases were discovered near the black smoker, all appeared to be different ages depending on the colour of the cases. © Ocean Exploration Trust

This research was conducted under the Galapagos National Park research permit PC45-15 and was possible thanks to grants from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, NOAA Office for Exploration and Research (E/V Nautilus Exploration Program NA15OAR0110220) and the Save Our Seas Foundation. The full research article, published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports, can be freely accessed here: go.nature.com/2vYcLBY

© Ocean Exploration Trust

It’s fair to say that nobody had been expecting to find egg cases.

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GLOBAL RELEVANCE

BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE Š Frances Eyre

Himalayan raspberry, an invasive plant species that thrives in the highlands of Galapagos, is outcompeting native species such as Scalesia.

by Godfrey Merlen

A

lone, in a windowless room at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, I faced the sterile grey cabinets.

As the chromed latches were turned and the doors swung open, the harsh artificial light flooded the interior. Row upon row of brilliantly coloured birds, perched on small wooden bars, peered out with sightless glass eyes. Beaks as delicate as a hummingbird, as strong as a parrot, stayed closed, and no song left the shrunken throats. These are the remnants of the extinct endemic birds of the Hawaiian Archipelago.

Many of these species are no longer to be found in the forests, valleys and high volcanic landscapes of these islands. According to the American Bird Conservancy, 95 of 142 endemic birds in Hawaii are extinct. Of the remaining birds, 33 are listed under the Endangered Species Act and ten of these have not been seen for decades.

There has been much research into the reasons for these extinctions. There is no doubt that the Polynesian people, who where the first people to visit the archipelago, were amazed by the vibrant colours of the birds and hunted them to produce luxurious cloaks and head dresses. However, the arrival of exotic species including predators, insects, plants and diseases like avian malaria and avian pox, had dramatic impacts on the native birds, which had evolved in the absence of these new species and were not able to

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defend themselves against them. The lesson for Galapagos is clear: the introduction of exotic species to isolated oceanic islands results in the extinction of native birds.

The Agency for Biosecurity in Galapagos (ABG) is making every attempt to control and, where feasible, eradicate alien species that are already present, such as the Mediterranean fruit fly and African snail.

However these efforts come at a considerable cost of many millions of dollars. Meanwhile, the rapid increase in maritime and aerial traffic means that new species continue to arrive. The mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus has been introduced to Galapagos only recently, a species that is the vector for both avian malaria and West Nile Virus. There is currently no solution for several obligate parasites like the Himalayan raspberry and Philornis downsi.

Given the present perilous position, we must strengthen the isolation of the Archipelago to new arrivals. In order to achieve this, cargo vessels coming from mainland South America should not be permitted to unload directly onto Floreana, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz or Isabela, as any seeds, insects or even mammals and reptiles introduced to these inhabited islands risk being carried to other islands by local inter-island launches or aircraft. Instead, cargo vessels should be checked carefully for unwanted new species, before the goods are transshipped to a local vessel that never leaves the Archipelago. This would build a far more secure barrier between the mainland and Galapagos.

We know the dangers from Hawaii, Guam, and other oceanic islands. Let it not be the fate of Galapagos.

MEMBERSHIP T

he Galapagos Conservation Trust is privileged to have such an enthusiastic and generous supporter base. Our members not only provide vital financial support, which is helping to protect Galapagos and its wildlife, but also time and expertise allowing us to continue to grow as an organisation.

© Nigel Sitwell

TRIBUTE FUNDS W

e would like to extend our sincere thanks to those who kindly donated to the Tribute Fund in memory of Nigel Sitwell; we are delighted to report a total of £3,095 was raised. As a founding Trustee, Nigel went on to become GCT Chairman from 1997 – 2006 and remained involved with the organisation afterwards as an Ambassador.

Due to his firm belief in educating and engaging the local community of Galapagos about the special status of the Islands, the money raised has gone towards our Education & Sustainability projects in the Archipelago.

Your kind donations supported community groups, such as Grupo Eco Cultural Organizado, who are carrying out education and outreach work to reduce plastic pollution on San Cristobal island. The Tribute Fund also helped to take local school children out into the Galapagos National Park to track giant tortoises.

If you would like to donate in memory of Nigel, please visit galapagosconservation.org.uk/tribute-funds. If you would like to honour a family member with a Tribute Fund, please contact gct@gct.org.

RAISING FUNDS A

© Kelly Hague

huge thanks to GCT supporter Jenny Webber who recently used her Wild Life Drawing class to raise funds for us. Jenny runs drawing classes with a difference; instead of human life models, participants sketch animals and nature.

For the second year running, Jenny themed an evening class around the cousins of Galapagos animals, including snakes, iguanas, tortoises and geckos. In addition to promoting the work of GCT and the issues facing the Archipelago’s incredible wildlife, a percentage of the ticket sales from the class were donated towards the Trust.

If you would like to raise money for GCT, then please contact kelly@gct.org.

VOLUNTEERS W

hether they are helping out with office administration or supporting event logistics, we simply couldn’t function without our dedicated volunteers. Long term GCT member and volunteer, Alan Chapman, has been helping out in the office since 2012, supporting our fundraising initiatives and events, as well as carrying out vital research for our corporate and tourism strategies. Alan said of volunteering with GCT, “I know it is good to be involved in a very small way with helping to conserve these wonderful and unique Islands.”

We are currently looking for help with a range of administrative duties in our friendly office in Central London. If you are interested, please contact lisa@gct.org.

To find out more about these and other ways to help GCT, please contact our membership team, Kelly and Ben, in the office, email gct@gct.org or visit galapagosconservation.org.uk/get-involved.

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TORTOISE APPEAL For more information

HELP THE GALAPAGOS GIANT TORTOISE TODAY!

T

© Vanessa Horwell

The Giant Tortoise Movement Ecology Programme (GTMEP), which we have supported since 2011, is working with partners to prevent further extinctions. From eggs to adults, we are still learning how best to protect these giants. We are continuing to monitor and protect nesting sites. Using new technology, we are able to track tortoise hatchlings more effectively in order to truly understand the threats that they face, particularly from invasive species. We are also working with land owners to understand how we can ensure that they can live alongside tortoises conflict-free.

We need your help to continue this work. Just £50 will help us to protect a giant tortoise nest from invasive species for the upcoming breeding season. As a thank you, if you donate over £50 and quote TORTOISE2018 we will send you a free personalised digital tortoise adoption (worth £20)!

Please donate today to help us work towards our goal of protecting the iconic Galapagos giant tortoise. You can do so either using the form on the back page or by contacting the office on 020 7399 7440.

Don’t miss this year’s Galapagos Day (see p. 23) to hear from Diego Ellis Soto, who collaborates with the GTMEP, about how the International Space Station is helping conservationists to track endangered species, including newly emerged Galapagos giant tortoise hatchlings, in near real-time!

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© GTMEP

he Galapagos giant tortoise is one of the most iconic species on the Archipelago. The Islands are actually named after these famous animals - Galapágo is an old Spanish word for tortoise.

They are a highlight for the majority of visitors to Galapagos and it is easy to understand why given their size, average lifespan of a century and their wise looks.

Sadly giant tortoises have a history of being exploited by humans, as they provided a relatively easy source of fresh meat for whalers and pirates. It is estimated that between 100,000 and 200,000 individuals were lost as a result, and on some islands tortoises were driven to extinction.

Today, tortoises are slowly recovering on most Galapagos islands but remain in danger. They face a number of different threats ranging from invasive species to climate change. However, one of the fastest increasing problems on the Islands is conflict with humans. With a growing human population in Galapagos, there is more chance that negative interactions will arise between humans and tortoises, especially on the inhabited islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Isabela. More roads and buildings are being built on tortoise migration routes. Some landowners are actively trying to stop tortoises from migrating across their land in order to prevent them from eating their crops. Invasive and introduced species, such as fire ants and pigs, are responsible for the destruction of nests, and the predation of eggs and hatchling tortoises. Hatchlings must then survive predation by rats, cats and feral dogs.

TORTOISE CHAMPIONS!

A

re you a teacher, or do you know one, with a classroom of budding conservationists? Then join us and become tortoise champions! Your support will help us to monitor and conserve the iconic giants of the Galapagos. For only £35 for the year, your class will receive regular updates on our vital work, the chance to enter our exciting annual competition and a fantastic bundle of membership gifts. For more information, email GCT’s education writer, Sarah Langford at sarah@gct.org.

EVENTS

For more information about events and to book your tickets, simply visit galapagosconservation.org.uk/events or call us on 020 7399 7440

GALAPAGOS DAY

WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER 2018 19:00 - 22:00 (DOORS OPEN AT 18:00) ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, 1 KENSINGTON GORE, LONDON

T

In addition to exciting talks, we will have the winners of our 2018 Galapagos photography competition, and Falmouth University will be returning with their photo exhibition. Our raffle (see back page) will be drawn on the night.

Tickets are £30 (£15 for students) and include one free drink.

They are available to purchase from our website, via telephone or through the payment form on the back page of this magazine. © GCT

ickets are still available for this year’s Galapagos Day which will explore the conservation breakthroughs and innovations happening in the Galapagos Islands. Come along to hear from experts about how cutting-edge science and technology is helping us to conserve the unique wildlife of Galapagos.

Our first speaker will be Ellie Mackay, Mission Director of The Plastic Tide (right). This summer Ellie joined GCT Chief Executive Sharon Johnson, and our partners from the Galapagos Science Center and the Galapagos National Park to trial plastic surveys using drone technology. Ellie will reveal whether the surveys were successful, show exclusive footage of what the surveys revealed, and talk about how this will be used to reduce plastic pollution.

Our second speaker will be Diego Ellis Soto (see pp. 16-17), from the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology. Diego joined the Institute after working with Steve Blake on the Galapagos Tortoise Movement Ecology Programme and still collaborates with them. He will be talking about the ICARUS initiative which is trialling cutting-edge satellite tags designed for small animals to understand their behaviour, movement and life histories, including the giant tortoise hatchlings found in Galapagos!

GALAPAGOS

MERCHANDISE

Christmas cards

All cards read: “Seasons Greetings | Felices Fiestas”and come in packs of 10 with envelopes.

We have two Christmas card designs this year - our Penguin cards (£3.50 or 2 for £6) and our very popular Galapagos giant tortoise cards (£5 or 2 for £9).

2019 Galapagos Calendar

Our 2019 calendar is now ready to pre-order! Filled with eyecatching photos of Galapagos’ finest wildlife and landscapes, this year’s calendar features several images from our 2018 Galapagos photography competition, including the iconic Galapagos giant tortoise and the ghost crab featured on pages 4-5. Only £10!

[Planned pre-order shipping data is early October.]

AMAZON SMILE

G

FUNDRAISE WHILE Y O U SH O P !

alapagos Conservation Trust has joined Amazon Smile! It’s a simple way to support us, while shopping on Amazon.

All you have to do is sign into your Amazon account via smile.amazon.co.uk, choose GCT as your favourite charity and then Amazon will donate 0.5% of each purchase price directly to us. You can shop like you normally do on the site, and it won’t cost you any extra!

Order these and other Galapagos merchandise using the form on the back page or online at galapagosconservation.org.uk/shop

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CONTACT DETAILS

Please fill in your details below: Name: ...........................................................................................

Address: ....................................................................................... ....................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................

Post code:.....................................................................................

Telephone:....................................................................................

Email:.............................................................................................

If you are happy for us to contact you by email (including our monthly e-News which includes updates on our projects and fundraising work) or telephone, please complete the field(s) above. You can change your preferences at any time.

Our full privacy policy can be found on our website.

METHOD OF PAYMENT Please tick one: Cheque (payable to Galapagos Conservation Trust) Credit card

Debit card

CAF voucher

CAF card

NB: We do not accept American Express or Maestro.

Name on card: ........................................................................

Card no:...................................................................................

Expiry date: .............................................................................

Security code: .........................................................................

Yes I am a UK taxpayer and I want to Gift Aid my donation and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years to the Galapagos Conservation Trust. I understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

GALAPAGOS CLOTHING! Why not buy your loved one a Galapagos-themed tshirt or jumper this year, while helping to fund conservation work in the Islands? We are always interested in new designs, so if you are interested in working with us, please get in touch with our office. You can buy these products online at galapagosconservation.teemill.co.uk.

AUTUMN

PAYMENT FORM There are several easy ways to place an order or donate in support of our work.

1. Via our website galapagosconservation.org.uk 2. By telephone on 020 7399 7440 3. By completing the details on this form and returning with your preferred payment method to: Galapagos Conservation Trust, Charles Darwin Suite, 28 Portland Place, London, W1B 1LY Make a donation to our Tortoise Appeal

Total Price £

I would like to give: £50 / £100 / £300 / Other (please circle) to help the Galapagos giant tortoise.

Galapagos Day tickets

Price £

Galapagos Day

30.00

Raffle tickets (max. 50 tickets)

2.00

Gifts

Price £

2019 Calendar

10.00

Tortoise Christmas cards

5.00 or 2 for 9.00

Penguin Christmas cards

3.50 or 2 for 6.00

Galapagos cards by Robert E. Fuller

11.99

Qty

Total Price £

Qty

Total Price £

Adoptions Recipients Details

Qty

Total Price £

Galapagos Penguin £30 Name on certificate: Email for updates:

Giant Tortoise £30 Name on certificate: Email for updates:

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark £30 Name on certificate: Email for updates: All adoption packs contain a fact file, certificate, and cuddly toy and will be sent to you. If you would like them to be shipped directly to the recipient, please contact the GCT office. The email address provided will be signed up to our monthly e-newsletter which includes updates on our project and fundraising work. You can opt out of these emails at any time.

Postage & Packaging Charges All orders

UK

Europe

ROW

1.50

5.00

10.00

Total Price £

TOTAL

ATTERS

All donations will go towards supporting conservation in Galapagos.