a herdofgoatsonIsabela Island
Thisgrasslandwasoncecoveredbythick forest.
LivingWithGuests
Farmersdidn’tliketheblackberries.Theychokedotherplants.Farmershadtoripthemoutby hand.
Goatswerebroughttotheislandstofeedpeople.Butthegoatsatealltheplantsthatgianttortoiseseat.In2004,thegoatswerekilled.Thiswasdonesonativeplantandanimallifewouldcome back.
Invasivespeciesposearealthreattotheislands.Eachintroducedspeciesmustbewatchedandcontrolled.Thisprotectsthenativeisland life.
Goatseatplantslikepricklypearcactus.Thecactusisfoodforgianttortoises,landiguanas,doves,cactusfinches,and mockingbirds.