Gland, Switzerland, 28 June 2007 (IUCN) – The Galapagos Islands have been added to the list of World Heritage sites in danger following the recommendation of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
The World Heritage Committee, currently meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand, made the decision after considering the results of a joint monitoring mission by IUCN and UNESCO to the islands in April 2007.
The mission found that annual visitor numbers have increased from 40,000 in 1996 to 120,000 today, bringing with them invasive species by plane and boat. Introduced plant species now outnumber native ones, and 180 of the 500 native plant species on the islands are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The mission also found that immigration, which increases the local population by 4% every year, is driving development and destroying the integrity of the islands.
David Sheppard, Head of the IUCN delegation in Christchurch, said: “The main problems associated with the Galapagos Islands relate to the impact of tourism growth, which is driving immigration and overfishing. Adding the islands to the danger list is a positive way of raising the profile of these threats and highlighting the need for international action.”
The World Heritage Committee also added Niokolo-Koba National Park in Senegal to the list of World Heritage sites in danger. The joint IUCN and UNESCO monitoring mission to the 913,000 hectare park in January 2007 revealed high levels of poaching. Populations of hartebeest, buffalo and waterbuck declined by 90% between 1990 and 2006, and only 10 elephants currently remain in the site. The population of the endangered giant eland, particularly valued by poachers, is down to a single herd of 67 animals.

（引自www.iucn.org  2007年6月28日）