Leonardo DiCaprio and conservationists unite to restore Galápagos habitats

May 19, 2021

A coalition of groups have mobilized mobilized $43 million to restore degraded habitats in the Galápagos Islands. Image: Unsplash/Nathalie Marquis

Rhett Butler

Founder, Mongabay

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image of a Floreana Marine Iguana sitting on rocks near the ocean on Floreana Island

A Floreana Marine Iguana sitting on rocks near the ocean on Floreana Island. Image: Andrew S. Wright

image children releasing finches from the local community on Floreana

Releasing finches with children from the local community on Floreana. Image: Paula A. Castaño/Island Conservation

Heron in the Galapagos. Image: Rhett A. Butler/Mongabay

Sea lions in the Galapagos. Image: Rhett A. Butler/Mongabay

image of the Floreana Mockingbird, of which two small populations still remain

The Floreana Mockingbird disappeared from Floreana Island shortly after Charles Darwin visited the island in 1835. Two small populations have survived on nearby Gardner and Champion Islets. Image: Paula Costaño/Island Conservation

Floreana Giant Tortoises went extinct on Floreana Island. However, tortoises on Isabela Island were found to have Floreana Giant Tortoise genes. Conservationists with Galápagos National Park Directorate have created a breeding program to reintroduce the species to Floreana. Image: Andrew S. Wright

image of Paula Castaño holding a Floreana Racer

Paula Castaño, wildlife veterinarian and island restoration specialist with Island Conservation, holding a Floreana Racer. Image: Luis Ortiz Catedral

Paula Castaño, a wildlife veterinarian and island restoration specialist with Island Conservation in the field in the Galápagos Image: Island Conservation

The Galápagos Short-eared owl, a species endemic to the Galápagos Islands. Image: Paula Castaño/Island Conservation

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