Galapagos Islands face dual threats: Wildlife in the Galapagos Islands is increasingly threatened as climate change disrupts the food sources and nesting areas for endemic species like marine iguanas and sea turtles and ocean temperatures rise, AP reports. The crisis at sea is being exacerbated by the El Nino phenomenon which has further strained these populations by causing food shortages for some species.

Warmer oceans are changing the food cycle for some species, including marine iguanas which are finding it difficult to find the red and green algae their diet consists of. Nesting is also hard for sea turtles in warmer temperatures.Algae die-offs, exacerbated by El Nino, also reduce food availability for other species like birds and sea lions.

Meanwhile, on land… Invasive species like feral pigs, cats, and dogs pose a serious threat to native animals, according to AP. These non-native species, some abandoned by residents, compete with or prey on native wildlife. Feral pigs can devastate giant tortoise nesting sites, while feral cats prey on marine iguana hatchlings.

Plastic pollution also adds to strain: Microplastics have been found in the digestive systems of various marine species, including penguins, indicating the pervasive nature of this pollutant, according to AP. The presence of microplastics in the food chain raises concerns about the long-term health of the islands' ecosystems and the species that inhabit them.

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