Vanishing Dragons - The Sad Fate of the Galapagos' Iguanas | Wildlife Documentary

Watch 'Wild Galapagos - Part 1: In the Grip of the Ocean' here:    • Wild Galapagos | Part 1 | In the Grip...  

The Galapagos Islands stand as the crucible of evolution, as elucidated in Darwin's seminal work, "The Origin of Species." Over the eons, these desolate volcanic isles, shaped by relentless winds, have witnessed the extraordinary evolution of peculiar creatures. Among them, the marine iguana stands out, having embarked on a remarkable journey from a commonplace land-dwelling lizard to an ocean-conquering species. Once a consumer of terrestrial greenery, the marine iguana adapted to the challenges of its habitat by exclusively feasting on seaweed during prolonged underwater forays—an unparalleled feat in the lizard kingdom.

Despite this incredible success story, the species now faces a threat. In recent decades, the marine iguana population has plummeted, pushing it perilously close to extinction. While scientists have proposed numerous theories to explain the surge in mortality, a conclusive cause of death remains elusive. A pivotal discovery emerged from the autopsy of 80 deceased marine iguanas in 2013, revealing undigested red and green algae in their stomachs. Seawater studies yielded no substantive results.

Since the onset of 2015, authorities have redoubled their efforts: Collaborative initiatives involving scientists and park rangers aim to unravel the mystery of the marine iguana's decline as they pursue four promising leads, the race is on to decipher the enigma behind the disappearance of these iconic dragons of the Galapagos.

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