QUITO (AP) — Galapagos National Park has closed two tourist sites on two islands where dead seabirds were found on the beaches, sparking warnings of a bird flu outbreak.
In a document signed by park director Arturo Izurieta, it was reported that Bahia Urbina on the island of Isabela and Punta Espinosa on the island of Fernandina Tourist activities have been closed and “according to reports” epidemiological fences have been erected in these places. Received by designated park ranger…and “Dead Bird Sighting Guide”.
In addition to inspections, sample collection, testing and monitoring in the affected areas, the closure is aimed at preventing visitors from coming into contact with the dead birds “to prevent any impact on the islands’ fragile biodiversity”.
He added that the restriction does not apply to water activities such as diving and boating near areas affected by potential outbreaks. These two closed locations are only accessible by sea.
The agency did not specify the number of dead birds or the species affected. A call from The Associated Press to the park was not immediately returned. There are 78 species of birds living on these islands.
Last year, there were at least two outbreaks of avian influenza among various bird populations in the Galapagos Islands, mainly on Genovisa and Wolf Islands, where boobies and albatross populations were particularly affected. Authorities believe the avian flu virus reached the islands via migratory species.
Bird flu killed half a thousand birds on the two islands between September and November last year.
In November 2022, Peru declared a health emergency after more than 14,000 birds (mainly pelicans, frigatebirds and boobies) died from avian influenza along the coast. Ecuador immediately discovered the source of infection in poultry farms in the central mountains.
The Galapagos Islands are world-renowned and attract a significant flow of domestic and international tourists for their unique species of flora and fauna in the world. In 1979, they were declared a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO.
This wildlife sanctuary is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador.