The Galápagos Islands were the setting for a historic conservation action: the release of 1,500 land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus) on Santiago Island.
This is part of an ambitious ecological restoration program led by the Galápagos National Park Directorate and the Charles Darwin Foundation, with technical support from Galápagos Conservancy.
A key species for the ecosystem
Land iguanas fulfill essential ecological functions: they act as seed dispersers, regulate vegetation, and contribute to maintaining the landscape structure.
Their disappearance on Santiago, which occurred more than 100 years ago due to the introduction of invasive species such as pigs, rats, and goats, profoundly altered the ecosystem’s balance.
Rigorous process and reintroduction phases
Between August and October 2025, park rangers selected specimens in good health on North Seymour Island, where overpopulation and resource scarcity limited their development.
The iguanas spent between 15 and 20 days in quarantine at the park’s facilities in Santa Cruz, where their health was assessed, morphometric data recorded, and monitoring microchips implanted. The elimination of ingested seeds was also ensured to prevent the introduction of unwanted species.
The final release, carried out in three phases, culminated on October 8. The maritime transfer was conducted during cool hours to minimize thermal stress. Once on Santiago, the iguanas began their adaptation without supplemental feeding, which favors their ecological autonomy.
Ecological restoration and sustainable management
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Inés Manzano, highlighted that this action not only seeks to recover an emblematic species but also to consolidate a sustainable management model that preserves the archipelago’s biological integrity.
Meanwhile, Carlos Ortega, director of the Galápagos National Park, emphasized that the reintroduction also alleviates population pressure on North Seymour, generating benefits on both islands.
Galápagos: natural laboratory and world heritage
The archipelago, composed of 13 main islands, was declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1978. Its unique biodiversity inspired Charles Darwin in developing the theory of evolution.
Today, the Galápagos continue to be a natural laboratory for studying climate change, evolutionary biology, and species conservation.
A firm step towards ecological resilience
The reintroduction of land iguanas on Santiago represents a concrete advance in the restoration of island ecosystems and reinforces Ecuador’s commitment to conserving one of the planet’s most valuable territories.
This type of initiative demonstrates that it is possible to reverse human impact and rebuild natural balance with planning, science, and political will.
