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PDF
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Type:
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Journal Article |
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Author:
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Wikelski, Martin; Foufopoulos, Johannes; Vargas, Hernan; Snell, Howard |
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Journal:
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Ecology and Society |
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Volume:
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9 |
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Page(s):
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Date:
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2004 |
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URI:
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https://hdl.handle.net/10535/2649
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Sector:
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Wildlife |
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Region:
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South America |
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Subject(s):
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birds
animal behavior
ecosystems
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Abstract:
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"Exotic diseases and parasites have caused extinctions on islands and continents, particularly when they spread through assemblages of immunologically naive species. Hawaii has lost a substantial part of its endemic bird fauna since the introduction of avian malaria at the beginning of the 20th century. In contrast, the Galapagos archipelago still possesses its entire endemic avifauna. Several of these Galapagos bird populations are in decline, however, and wildlife managers seek guidance to counteract a potential man-made ecological disaster. We recommend that endemic birds be tested for susceptibility to disease outside the Galapagos so that protection efforts can be better designed to deal with actual threats. At present, the best and perhaps only management option is to protect the isolation of these island communities because treating or vaccinating wild bird populations against diseases is almost impossible. If the isolation of the Galapagos Islands is successful, we will preserve the complete avifauna of an archipelago for the first time in the history of human colonization in the Pacific eco-region."
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