Page 14 - IAV Digital Magazine #465

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
Fireworks Banned On The Galapagos To Protect Wildlife
The authorities in the Galapagos islands have banned the sale and use of fire- works in the archipelago to protect its unique fauna.
Fireworks that produce light but no sound have been excluded from the ban.
Conservationists say that animals suffered from elevated heart rates, trembling and anxiety after pyrotechnic events.
Thousands of people visit the islands every year, drawn by its biodiversity and pristine environment.
The Galapagos are located about 1,000km
(621 miles) off the coast of mainland Ecuador.
"This is a gift to conservation for Ecuador and the world," the pres- ident of the local
council, Lorena Tapia, wrote on Twitter.
"Ecosystems as sensitive as that of the Galapagos Islands are affected [by fire-
works], espe- cially its fauna, which is unique," she added.
The authorities also said that fireworks caused many
injuries every year, particularly among children.
The campaign against fire- works began in 2017. The measure, which takes immediate
effect, bans transportation of fireworks to the islands as well as their sale or use.
There is increasing pres- sure on the Ecuadorean government to do more to pro- tect its sensitive ecosystems.
Single-use plas- tics have also been banned on the islands, which have a population of 25,000 people.
The indigenous species found on the Galapagos islands, includ- ing iguanas and tortoises, played a key role in the development of Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine