What stories will you tell at this year’s holiday parties?

You could share a captivating story of species coming back from the brink of extinction on Pinzón Island in the Galápagos.

For over 150 years, the Pinzón Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis ephippium) has been unable to successfully reproduce in its natural Galápagos habitat due to invasive rats which consume their eggs and young. Thus, it is listed as Extinct-in-the-Wild by the Internationl Union for the Conservation of Nature.

In 2012, invasive rats were removed from Pinzón Island by Island Conservation, the Galápagos National Park, and the Charles Darwin Foundation. And this year, tortoise hatchlings emerged from native Pinzón tortoise nests on Pinzón Island.

Or, you could tell a story about species rediscovery.

In 2011, Island Conservation and our partners removed invasive rats from Rábida Island to protect native species. When we returned to monitor species recovery this year, we made an unexpected discovery: a gecko species that was thought to be extinct! Scientists are currently working to classify the gecko.

These are just two of the exciting stories of island recovery that you’ll find in our recently released Impact Report. 

We’d like to thank our donors, supporters and friends for making these successes possible. Together, we are ensuring a future filled with thriving native plants and animals worldwide.

To start saving species and become a supporter of Island Conservation,donate here or through our Crowdrise campaign (below). 

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise