Galapagos Island Nature Crisis!
Goat Catastrophe
The tortoises that are native to the Galapagos islands are an amazing species. They grow to be massive in size and they can live for over 100 years! However, these fantastic giants spontaneously started disappearing at one point, and scientists were baffled about the cause of this sudden population drop. After a bit of research, however, the cause of the rapid loss of tortoises was found: goats. These goats, thought to have been brought over by ships in the 18 and 19th centuries, have experienced a population explosion. The newfound numbers of goats began to grow hungry, of course. So they started eating up the foliage that made up the habitats of these tortoises. The poor tortoises could not do anything against the ruthless goats, and their once lush, beautiful habitats began becoming dry, dusty wastelands. Scientists feared that Galapagos-exclusive tortoises would soon go extinct if these goats continued breeding and eating. So after extensive research, the answer was found: to kill the goats. This was to prevent repopulation. The only question about this large-scale plan was how to execute it. The first stages of the goat genocide was by using helicopters with snipers onboard to take out hoards of goats. But after many missions, the success rate began falling, due to goats growing smarter and hiding at the approaching sound of helicopter rotors. With the bills for aviation fuel and gun ammunition racking up, the scientists behind this plan needed a new idea to save the tortoises. They came up with the idea of using a goat with a tracker to lead them to the hiding spots of other goat herds, and then kill off those goats. After a while, the plan began to take effect, and the goat's numbers began to drop even more, gaining more hope for the beloved tortoises.
Tourist Trouble
The Galapagos islands are very beautiful, and of course this attracts tourists like moths to light. Lots of people travel to the Galapagos to witness these beautiful islands, and naturally, these incoming tourists need a place to stay during their vacation. This leads to plans for larger hotels. Any random onlooker would assume this is a good idea due to the fact that the tourists would bring in money, which would boost the Ecuadorian economy. But the enormous, invasive hotels pose a threat to natural wildlife (flora and fauna) that takes up residence on the islands. The major concern, however, is the local fauna. Tourists have caused an increase in population as well as hotels, and since people began taking up residence in the Galapagos, there have been two airports constructed. The port also brings in many yachts and cruise ships, which leave behind a plethora of garbage for islanders to properly dispose of. The construction of hotels also poses a threat, due to land space necessary for these hotels to be erected.
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