Galápagos

The Galápagos Islands are the most biologically intact archipelago on Earth, with more than 95% of their original species still present. Re:wild and partners are working to keep it that way, on land and at sea.

Rewilding the planet’s cradle of evolution

The Galápagos archipelago lies 563 miles off the coast of Ecuador and comprises 18 main islands, 3 smaller islands, and 107 rocks and islets. More than 95% of their original species are still present, an extraordinary record for any island group with a human population.

The land holds Galápagos Giant Tortoises, land iguanas, lava lizards, and Darwin's finches. The surrounding ocean holds 2,900 known species of marine animals and some of the richest shark populations on the planet.

Only five islands are inhabited, by the 25,000 people of the Galápagos. The vast majority of the land is protected, with only 3% set aside for human development. The challenge is not protecting what is here. It is bringing back what has been lost, and protecting the ocean that makes it all possible.

Re:wild is part of a $150 million coalition protecting one of the richest stretches of ocean on Earth.

The Galápagos anchor Re:wild's Eastern Tropical Pacific initiative, a coalition of 16 co-funders co-led by Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund that has committed $150 million to protecting a marine corridor stretching from these volcanic islands to Cocos Island off Costa Rica.

Rewilding Floreana Island

Floreana Island is home to 54 threatened species. The Floreana Mockingbird, extinct on the main island, survives only on two small predator-free offshore islets. Re:wild is working with partners to remove invasive predators from Floreana and create conditions for the reintroduction of the Floreana Tortoise, the Floreana Mockingbird, and the recovery of other species including the Galápagos Petrel.

Restoration on Floreana will not only benefit wildlife. It will create the conditions for community-based tourism and attract new investment to the island, making conservation and community wellbeing the same project rather than competing ones.

Learn About the Floreana Mockingbird

Only 300 Pink Iguanas survive on a single Galápagos volcano.

The Pink Iguana exists nowhere else on Earth, with a relic population of around 300 individuals living on top of Wolf Volcano, the highest point in the Galápagos.

Re:wild is working with partners to establish a conservation breeding and predator control program to protect this extraordinary species and give it room to recover.

Read About the Pink Iguana