Researchers from the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Park have published the first confirmed record of a white shark in Ecuadorian waters. The encounter, roughly ninety kilometers west of Wolf Island and outside the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR), marks an unusual sighting of this species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, where sightings south of Mexico's coastline are exceptionally rare.

Explore the Galapagos Islands' volcanic beginnings, unique biodiversity, and the global conservation efforts led by the Charles Darwin Foundation to protect them.

The Board of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands (“CDF”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lúcia G. Lohmann, Andrew Balfour, and Mary C. Pearl to its Board of Directors, with immediate effect. Each new member brings unique expertise and a deep commitment to CDF’s mission of safeguarding the Galapagos Islands through science and conservation.

The smooth-billed ani is considered to be the most damaging introduced bird species in Galapagos. Hannah Rickets, at Galapagos Conservation Trust, spoke to PhD student Cristian Poveda about his research into this challenging species.

The smooth-billed ani is considered to be the most damaging introduced bird species in Galapagos. Hannah Rickets, at Galapagos Conservation Trust, spoke to PhD student Cristian Poveda about his research into this challenging species.

In Galapagos, 83% of the landmass falls within the arid zone. Restoring plant communities in this zone is challenging and slow, and natural regeneration in severely degraded areas is very limiting. Our scientists work to restore the arid habitat across various islands in the archipelago, notably Baltra Island, which has undergone significant human alteration, and special use sites such as garbage dumps and quarries on inhabited islands.