The volcanic archipelago of the Galápagos Islands is brimming with thousands of endemic flora and fauna species. Park rangers with the Galápagos National Park Directorate have recently found the remains of 15 endangered giant tortoises brutally slaughtered on the southern Isabela Island of the Galápagos Islands.
The Galápagos Conservancy called the incident shocking as the giant tortoises are listed as endangered species that is fighting for their survival, and the murdered creatures were released in the wild in June 2020.
Remains of 15 endangered giant tortoises brutally slaughtered were found on the Galápagos Islands | Image: Antonio Busiello/WWF-US
The organization said in a statement;
The disturbing news follows on another report this year of 185 small tortoises found on March 29, 2021, in a suitcase at the Baltra Island airport being trafficked to the mainland for sale…Together, these events could be evidence that Galápagos is becoming increasingly ensnared in the global wildlife trade, which takes a particularly heavy toll on turtle and tortoise species around the world.
Apparently, the archipelago in the Pacific Ocean is known for its rare giant tortoises. The giant tortoises are the largest living species of tortoise on the planet and can live for over a century in the wild, but are now highly threatened by illegal wildlife trade and animal trafficking.
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According to the officials, local demand for tortoise meat and other animal body parts had increased exponentially in recent years. The ongoing killings pose a grave danger to these magnificent creatures who are already facing the threat of extinction.
Via: Wral