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UNESCO Says Galapagos Islands No Longer Threatened

   VOA News 29 July 2010
   A turtle is carried by rangers in Pinta Island, northern waters of the
   Galapagos Archipelago, Ecuador, 17 May 2010.

Photo: AP

   A turtle is carried by rangers in Pinta Island, northern waters of the
   Galapagos  Archipelago,  Ecuador.  Under the supervision of scientists
   from several countries, thirty nine giant tortoises, bred in captivity
   at  the  Galapagos National Park, were taken to Pinta Island for their
   release  as  part  of an effort to restore the ecological integrity of
   the island's ecosystems,17 May 2010.

   A United Nations panel has voted to remove Ecuador's Galapagos Islands
   from its list of endangered sites.
   During  a  meeting  in Brazil, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee voted
   14-5,  with one abstention, to take the islands off the list.  In its
   decision,  the  committee said Ecuador has made progress in protecting
   and preserving the site. Â
   Brazil  had  requested  that  the Galapagos be removed from the list.Â
   The  islands  had  been  on the list since 2007 due to the increase of
   tourism, over-fishing and the introduction of invasive species.
   The  Galapagos  Islands  are  famous  for hosting many rare species of
   birds,  animals  and  plants.  The islands have been called "a living
   museum  and  showcase  of  evolution."Â   They  have been on the World
   Heritage Site since 1978.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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