Conservation Value:

The Galápagos petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia) is one of the endemic seabirds of the Galápagos Archipelago. The populations of this long-lived seabird have declined substantially over the last sixty years and it is now listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN. With the help of Rainforest Trust, Fundación Jocotoco established its Galápagos Reserve in 2017 to protect a breeding colony of petrels on the island of San Cristóbal, where the species is not adequately protected by the Galápagos National Park.

Threats:

The decline of the Galápagos Petrel has occurred through overfishing of its food sources, predation of adults and young by feral cats, dogs, pigs, and rats at nest burrows where the birds are particularly vulnerable, and the loss of nest sites as invasive blackberry (Rubus) bramble thickets replace natural Miconia (Miconia robinsoniana) forests and cover the cavities.

Actions & Results:

• Feral animals are trapped and removed in coordination with authorities of the Galápagos National Park. This has reduced predation from about 14% per year to none.
• Park guards remove blackberries to allow the Miconia forests to survive. This has increased the available area for nesting by the petrels.
• For the labour-intensive work of removing the invasive plants, we are building accommodation to allow volunteers to assist park guards. Their active learning experience in the Galápagos is enhanced by our cooperation with the Galápagos Science Centre on San Cristóbal operated by the Universidad San Francisco de Quito.
• We are currently working with a community to protect additional petrel colonies on San Cristóbal.