Galapagos marine iguanas threatened by super El Niño and illegal trafficking

Marine iguanas in the Galapagos Islands are facing a dual threat from the ‘super El Niño’ phenomenon and a surge in illegal wildlife trafficking. Researchers from Simon Fraser University warn that the warming of equatorial waters is destroying macroalgae, the primary food source for these unique lizards. This environmental stress is already causing mass mortality and physical changes in the animals, such as reduced body size.

Compounding the climate crisis, authorities in Ecuador have intercepted numerous instances of smuggling. Recent seizures include iguanas found in homes, hidden in luggage at airports, and stuffed into plastic containers. These illegal activities for the exotic pet market occur alongside existing threats like chemical runoff and plastic pollution, significantly increasing the vulnerability of the species.