Eradication of Remnant Rodents on Floreana Island: Implementation of the Rapid Response Plan

Centuries of human activity and the introduction of invasive species like rodents and feral cats have severely damaged the ecosystems of Floreana Island, in the Galapagos archipelago of Ecuador, driving 13 native species to local extinction, including the iconic Floreana Giant Tortoise. The Floreana Island Ecological Restoration Project, led by a consortium of organizations including Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco, aims to complete the eradication of invasive species and restore native wildlife.

In 2023, a major intervention successfully reduced rodent populations across the island, but recent monitoring detected a small number of remaining rodents in a contained section of the island. This project is supporting a one-year Rapid Response Plan that will involve aerial bait applications over the concerned area, with careful strategies in place to protect other species. It is hoped that Floreana will be ready for the reintroduction of 12 native and endemic species from 2026. This initiative will also protect 55 threatened species on the island, support local farming, and boost eco-tourism, benefiting both wildlife and local communities in the long term.