Conservationists turn poisoners (January 2013)
Synopsis
The Galapagos Islands are the original home to the famous giant tortoises, but for the past few years the tortoises have had to be bred elsewhere because of the destructive rat population. The rats were introduced by buccaneers and have been warring with the island’s indigenous species ever since. Conservationists are trying to eradicate the rat population and other new species introduced by humans in order to return the island to its original state.
Source: Getty
Length: 2:25
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Watch the video and answer the following questions:
One of the greatest threats to the biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands has been the introduction of invasive species.
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| B. |
Rat poison has been dropped on Pinzon Island in an attempt to kill the invasive rat population.
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| B. |
Goats introduced by humans to islands in the Galapagos have
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| B. |
| C. |
| D. |
Eggs laid by Galapagos Tortoises on Pinzon Island, Galapagos are removed and artificially incubated on a neighboring island because
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| B. |
| C. |
| D. |
Watch the video and answer the following questions:
The Galapagos Islands are home to ~500 animal species, a number of which are endemic to the islands? Chapter 11 discusses what is meant by the term endemic. How is the term endemic different in meaning from the term native? Why is it especially critical to protect endemic species? As is often the case elsewhere in the world, what is the most important factor driving the losses of native species in the Galapagos?
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