The population of **flamingos** in the **Galapagos Islands**, currently estimated at around 500 individuals, is in a critically endangered situation due to the **threats derived from climate change** and the presence of **invasive species**.
Although they are not listed as an **endangered species** according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in Ecuador they have been granted a status of concern by the **environmental authorities**.
## Factors endangering the Galapagos flamingo
According to Arturo Izurieta, director of the **Galapagos National Park (GNP)**, the **flamingo population** has decreased in the last 10 to 12 years. There are an estimated 250 pairs distributed in **brackish lagoons** on the islands of Isabela, Floreana, Rábida, Santa Cruz, and Santiago.
The **high tides** associated with climate change could flood nesting sites, affecting the **survival of eggs and chicks**. Additionally, invasive species such as pigs, cats, and dogs, pose another significant threat, attacking eggs and chicks.
## Protection measures
In 2012, a **rodent eradication campaign** on Rábida Island allowed for a partial recovery in the flamingo population. In 2022, the GNP reported the nesting of a family of these birds on that island, after 20 years with no records, demonstrating the positive impact of **ecological restoration measures**.
Despite these advances, Izurieta points out the need to deepen research and monitor the movement of flamingos to implement more **effective strategies** to reduce their mortality.
## Diversity of flamingos in Galapagos
In the archipelago, there are **two types of flamingos**: the Chilean, considered a vagrant species, and an endemic subspecies of the Galapagos, smaller than the Caribbean one. These birds have an **average lifespan of up to 30 years**, reach reproductive age at five years, and usually lay only one egg per season.
The largest flamingo population is found on **Isabela Island**, the largest in Galapagos, recognized as one of the best-protected natural reserves in the world and a natural laboratory that inspired **Charles Darwin’s** theory of evolution.
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