ECUADOR: GALAPAGOS WILDLIFE REMAINS UNDER TRHREAT FROM OIL SPILL.

Record ID: 344983

  • Title: ECUADOR: GALAPAGOS WILDLIFE REMAINS UNDER TRHREAT FROM OIL SPILL.
  • Date: 25th January 2001
  • Summary: GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR (JANUARY 24, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. LV: SHIP SINKING 0.08 2. GV/MV: STRANDED SEAL/ SEAL STRUGGLING TO MOVE (2 SHOTS) 0.48 3. MV: VARIOUS SEALS ON SHORE (2 SHOTS) 1.08 4. GV/PAN/GV/MV: CLEANUP CREW IN BOAT/ BOATS/ SEALS (5 SHOTS) 1.50 5. LV/GV: WIDE OF SINKING SHIP (2 SHOTS) 2.09 6. LV/GV: VARIOUS OF CLEAN-UP (5 SHOTS) 3.05 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 9th February 2001 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR
  • Country: Ecuador
  • Reuters ID: LVAX0CUAPYZOUDHWKNKHLHII6J0
  • Story Text: The Ecuadorian ship "Jessica" was feared sinking off
    the shore of the Galapagos islands after spilling nearly all
    its fuel into the ocean, threatening some of the world's
    rarest species.



    The refuelling ship ran aground near the archipelago's
    capital early last week, spilling hundreds of thousands of
    gallons into the Pacific Ocean, home to tropical sea lions and
    some of the world's rarest species.

    Since running aground, the "Jessica" has lost over 160,000
    gallons (704,600 litres) of the 240,000 gallons (1. 1 million
    litres) of diesel and bunker fuel -- a heavy fuel used to
    power tour boats operating in the islands.

    The spill threatened animal species native only to the
    archipelago. Dead fish and other sea creatures were already
    washing
    up on beaches of the islands. The spill has also harmed
    pelicans and other birds as well as sea lions.

    Ecuador's government declared a state of emergency in the
    Galapagos, the ecosystem that served as a foundation for
    British naturalist Charles Darwin's theory of natural
    selection, in order to channel funds needed for the cleanup
    operation.

    The Galapagos Islands, 600 miles (1,000 km) west of
    Ecuador's coast in the Pacific Ocean, are home to hundreds of
    native species -- including giant tortoises and iguanas --
    that have evolved over aeons with little human intervention.

    Ecologists have expressed concern that the spill will take
    its biggest toll on sea creatures and plants that form part of
    an intricate food chain.


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