Galapagos National Park released a handout photo of a Galapagos pink Iguana at Wolf Volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos archipelago.
Local authorities reported that only 211 pink iguanas are left after scientists were sent to the Galapagos Islands by experts to count a critically endangered species of lizard.
The expedition saw around 30 scientists and Galapagos rangers participate in Wolf Volcano's northward-facing island of Isabela Island. It was the largest archipelago volcano.
Galapagos National Parks (PNG), in a statement, stated that 53 iguanas had been found and captured during the census. 94 percent of them live above 1,500m (4,900 feet above sea level).
This allowed experts to "estimate the population of 211 pink Iguanas."
The first pink iguanas, discovered in 1986, were later identified as a distinct species from the Galapagos land Iguana in 2009.
They are restricted to a 25-kilometer area (9.5 miles) on Wolf Volcano. The PNG has installed cameras to monitor their behavior and identify threats.
Washington Tapia, an Ecuadoran expert, told AFP that as many as 350 pink iguanas could exist prior to the census.
Tapia, Tapia's director at the American Galapagos Conservancy NGO, said that so far "no juveniles" have been found.
Tapia stated that "being restricted to a single site makes the species vulnerable" in quotes released Friday by PNG.
Galapagos National Park released a handout photo of a group consisting of park rangers monitoring a Galapagos pink Iguana at Wolf Volcano, Isabela Island.
"Urgent action must be taken to ensure their preservation."
Galapagos Islands is a protected wildlife zone and home to rare species of flora & fauna.
They are located 1,000 km (600 miles) west Ecuador.
Charles Darwin, a British naturalist and geologist, made the archipelago famous after observing evolution in the islands.
Continue exploring Galapagos Volcano Calms, Pink Iguanas Out of Danger
2021 AFP
