Stakeholders and international experts met at IAEA headquarters in Vienna from 11 to 13 June 2018 to discuss an environmental emergency in the Galapagos Islands: a parasitic fly infestation that is causing high mortality amongst some bird species.
The meeting, held in response to Ecuador’s request for IAEA assistance, brought together experts from around the world to discuss alternative pest management approaches to the fly, Philornis downsi, which was introduced to the Galapagos Islands in the 1960s and 70s.
The larvae of this invasive parasitic fly have a devastating effect on several small land birds, and are a significant cause of concern for conservation. The larvae are a particular threat to the world-famous – but endangered and declining – Darwin’s finches, including the very rare Mangrove finch and the Floreana mockingbird.
Meeting participants included Danny Rueda, representative of the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNDP), Charlotte Causton, representative of the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and international experts, as well as other stakeholders, with the IAEA headquarters serving as a hub for discussion. The important role of the GNDP in preserving biodiversity in Galapagos was acknowledged, a strategic research plan for land bird conservation in the Galapagos Islands was considered, and the best approaches to the problem as well as the potential role of the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme were identified.
