Versión en español
You are here: Home > Our-work > Featured-projects > Project-isabela 
 

Project Isabela

Goats are a highly destructive introduced species causing damage to the ecosystems of Galapagos. Project Isabela is a major ecology restoration program, implemented in 1997 by the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS). The project required the removal of all feral goats from Santiago and northern Isabela Islands to aid the reestablishment of natural ecological conditions and evolutionary processes.

Herd of feral goats© CDF Herd of feral goats

One of the first introductions of goats to Galapagos was recorded by David Porter from the Essex, during his journeys through the archipelago:

"While we lay at the bay ... we put our goats on shore to graze ... As they were all very tame, and kept about the landing-place, we every night left them on shore... but one morning, after they had been there for several days and nights, the person who attended them went on shore, as usual, to give them their water; but no goats were to be found; they had all, as with one accord, disappeared. They undoubtedly took to the mountains in the interior where unerring instinct led them to the springs or reservoirs from whence the tortoises obtain their supply...future navigators may perhaps obtain here an abundant supply of goat’s meat; ... it is probable their increase will be very rapid. Perhaps nature ... has embraced this first opportunity of stocking this island with a race of animals ... almost as well enabled to withstand the want of water as the tortoises with which it now abounds; ... many centuries hence may see the Gallipagos as thickly inhabited by the human species as any other part of the world." (Summarised from Porter, D. (1822) "Journal of a cruise made to the Pacific Ocean: volume 1". pp 223-4. The Gregg Press, Upper Saddle River, USA)

The presence of humans had already begun affecting populations of endemic species when Charles Darwin visited in 1835, yet the Galapagos Islands still teemed with healthy endemic communities, including giant tortoises, land iguanas, and tiny Galapagos rails scurrying about the damp highlands. By the 1970’s, however, the picture was less hopeful as unique flora and fauna were under grave threat from introduced species including goats.

Northern Isabela Island, the largest single landmass in Galapagos, has a rich biodiversity that includes many endemic plants and animals. It has the largest giant tortoise populations (estimated to be 15,000+) in Galapagos. Tortoises were being out-competed in grazing by the more agile and versatile goats. Fewer nesting sites were available and microclimates critical to tortoise survival (including drip pools under summit forests, and humid soils) were disappearing. Other endemic animals, birds, insects and plants were suffering equally, potentially leading to the extinction of species and subspecies due to habitat degradation.

Prior to intervention, goats had spread throughout northern Isabela Island, transforming pristine forests into barren grasslands.

Prior to intervention, goats had spread throughout northern Isabela Island, transforming pristine forests into barren grasslands. The loss of forest on steep volcanic slopes resulted in erosion as large herds of goats removed protective vegetation from the landscape.

In the face of this critical situation, eradication of the goats was a necessary first step for the ecological restoration of northern Isabela Islands. In 1997, the CDF and the GNPS met with goat control experts to discuss the feasibility of eradicating goats from such a large area.

Project Isabela wardens© CDF Project Isabela wardens

Carrying out an eradication campaign on this scale and in such a remote location took a tremendous amount of logistical support, financial resource and organizational ability. In 1997, the CDF and the GNPS pooled resources to create Project Isabela – the first formal bi-institutional project in their history. In 2002, Project Isabela received funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF)/ United Nations Development Program (UNDP), including enough funds to cover the more costly parts of the project such as infrastructure.

Project Isabela consisted of three phases: (1) preparation, (2) eradication, and (3) monitoring. From 1997, a team of highly skilled park wardens from Galapagos was trained to use new technologies. These were tested during smaller eradication projects.

During this time, Project Isabela focused on goat eradication on Santiago Island. Land iguanas had already been wiped out on Santiago, and endemic rice rat populations were so depleted that they were thought to be extinct.

Helicopter in flight© CDF

The first priority on Santiago was to remove the highly destructive pigs, donkeys and goats. Pigs were successfully eradicated in 2002, donkeys were eliminated in 2004.

In 2005, the focus moved to northern Isabela Island. Cutting-edge technology, including the use of helicopters for aerial hunting and GIS tracking, ensured swift and efficient removal of the feral goats. Goats are naturally gregarious, and ‘Judas’ goats fitted with radio collars and released then sought remaining herds, allowing their location to be identified.

'Judas goats' with radio transmitters.© CDF Novel goat eradication techniques included the use of 'Judas goats' with radio transmitters.

Eradication activities in the field have now been completed. Judas goats have been deployed across all vegetated areas on Santiago and northern Isabela Islands and monitoring is ongoing. The removal of all goats from northern Isabela and Santiago is due to be confirmed and announced during 2006.

In conjunction with the eradication campaign, the GNPS and the CDF carried out extensive fieldwork and creative management to catalog, conserve and permit the natural recovery of the island’s once splendid vegetation.

As the goat populations declined, vegetation underwent an amazing recovery. Small trees began regenerating from the stumps left by the goats. Highland shrub species, forest tree seedlings, Opuntia cactus, and other endemic species increased. Scientists found several species that had previously been restricted to protected craters and fenced enclosures protected from goats. Galapagos rails were now common in the highlands of Santiago Island; only two decades earlier it was estimated that at fewer than 100 remained. The Project Isabela team was seeing obvious signs that the ecosystem was recovering.

Santiago - protected and unprotected areas pre and post goat eradication.© CDF Santiago - protected and unprotected areas pre and post goat eradication

As funds become available, further control and eradication work targeting other introduced species will take place. Importantly, the removal of goats will allow CDRS botanists as well as invertebrate and vertebrate specialists to expand the restoration efforts already underway. This will help ensure that, over time, the island return to a state close to what it was before the arrival of goats.

The Project Isabela story illustrates the benefits of close collaboration between scientists and resource managers. When based on robust scientific research and management, such as that undertaken by the CDF and the GNPS, innovative partnerships like Project Isabela represent a model for integrated conservation efforts worldwide.

Project Isabela has been supported by: Galapagos Conservancy, The Darnton Trust, Ezekiel R. and Katherine W. Dumke, Frankfurt Zoological Society, Friends of Galapagos Netherlands, Friends of Galapagos Switzerland, Galapagos Conservancy, Galapagos Conservation Fund, Global Environment Facility, The Lutz Foundation, The Mars Foundation, Stephen L. Merrill, The Prospect Hill Foundation, The Stewart Foundation, USAID, Van Thienhoven, World Wildlife Fund, Zanders Sporting Goods.

The Thematic Atlas of Project Isabela 1998-2006 (© GNP & CDF - 9.7 Mb)