quit. An expedition of scientists and park rangers found for the first time baby pink iguanas, a unique species that inhabits the fragile ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands, authorities reported Tuesday.
“In recent months, the expeditionary team documented nesting sites and detected both active nests and hatchlings and juvenile pink iguanas of different ages” on the Wolf volcano, on Isabela Island, the Galapagos National Park (PNG) said in a statement.
Until now, experts had only found adult specimens of Conolophus marthaa species discovered in 2009 that stands out for its bright pink color and black spots.
“This discovery is a significant advance that allows us to identify a way to save the pink iguana,” said Danny Rueda, director of the PNG, according to statements released by the agency.
With a population of between 200 and 300 individuals, pink iguanas can be affected by the presence of invasive species, such as rodents.
#galapagos surprises us again with the discovery of neonates and juveniles of the pink iguana, this was possible thanks to the teamwork of @parquegalapagos Y @savegalapagos.
Learn more about this important species here ▶️ pic.twitter.com/RdIz0LRMg3
— Galapagos Park (@parquegalapagos) December 20, 2022
“Knowing all the aspects that make their existence vulnerable will allow us to take timely actions, mainly against invasive species and thus avoid interrupting the natural cycles of these fragile ecosystems,” added Rueda.
In total, seven expeditions were made to investigate the life of pink iguanas and scientists and park rangers from the PNG, the NGO Galapagos Conservancy and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment participated in them.
The Galapagos Islands, located a thousand kilometers off the coast of Ecuador, are home to two species of yellow iguanas, pink iguanas and marine iguanas, also unique in the world.
NEWS | A team of @parquegalapagoswith the support of @savegalapagos they undertook a series of expeditions where they recorded the discovery of neonates and juveniles of Pink Iguanas. pic.twitter.com/VqVPxext4h
— Galapagos Park (@parquegalapagos) December 20, 2022
Isabela Island, the largest in the Galapagos archipelago, considered a Natural Heritage of Humanity, is also home to yellow iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus) and giant tortoises (chelonoidis becky).
The habitat of the pink iguanas is restricted to a small area near the summit of the Wolf volcano, on the northeast side of the colossus, whose last eruption occurred in January of this year.
According to PNG, Wolf Volcano is one of the most remote places where conservation, research, and control of introduced species activities are carried out.
The archipelago was the natural laboratory of the English scientist Charles Darwin and inspired him to write his theory on the evolution of species in the 19th century.
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