Why are galapagos tortoise endangered?

Answer 1

The Galapagos archipelago, a remote group of Islands belonging to Ecuador, consists of many small volcanic islands and many of these have their own indigenous species of tortoises. For example, tortoises from Isabela Island are distinct to the tortoises from Santa Cruz. They are all 'giant' tortoises though. The rarest of all is the Pinta Island Tortoise, with only one known Survivor, Lonesome George.

There are many threats to the Galapagos tortoises and three main ones are:

1) Indigenous populations and fishermen eating the tortoises.

2) Species that are non-native to the islands being introduced. This is especially true of goats and pigs which bred in huge numbers on the islands, destroying the food and environment vital for the native tortoises.

3) Tourism: there is a growth in eco-tourism to the Galapagos, many wanting to see the giant tortoises. Unfortunately this rapid growth in tourism can lead to grazing land being destroyed and wild torts becoming even scarcer.

Answer 2

A long time ago, sailors, pirates, and whalers would capture many Galapagos tortoises and store them alive on board their ships to slaughter for meat months later (they can live for a long time without food).

Later, when the islands were settled by humans, they were hunted for food, and their habitat was cleared for agriculture. Introduced animals like goats, donkeys, and cattle competed for the grass that the tortoises grazed on. Other introduced species, such as dogs, pigs, cats, and black rats effectively hunted the young turtles and eggs. Even later, many tortoises were captured to be put in zoos, which further decreased the population of Galapagos tortoises.

Answer 3

humans and sharks and possible sea lions.