As from today, April 8th, 2024, activities on land and sea have resumed in the visiting sites of Punta Pitt and Isla Lobos on San Cristobal Island after negative results of avian flu in sea bird colonies, according to an official statement from the Galápagos National Park
What is the reason behind Punta Pitt and Isla Lobos reopening?
After complying with the guidelines established in the Avian Influenza Monitoring and Follow-Up plan, the Galápagos National Park Directorate and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, confirmed that the last samples taken from endemic and native birds were negative.
These sites (Punta Pitt and Isla Lobos), as well as Genovesa Island and Española Island were closed to the public as a preventive measure, since mid-September 2023, after the avian flu was detected in sea bird colonies. Among other species, the virus was found in blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies, frigatebirds and tropical birds.
In addition to the aforementioned prevention measures, the Galápagos National Park Directorate established a monitoring plan in approximately 30 strategic sites with abundant presence of sea birds, as well as a security protocol to reduce the risk of spread to other unaffected sites and set alerts when necessary.
What does this new measure represent for the itineraries of our yachts (Fragata Yacht and Golondrina Yacht)?
Once the Galápagos National Park Directorate made the measure official, the archipelago tour operators were required to reorganize their itineraries. Given this, Fragata Yacht and Golondrina Yacht will again offer their guests the opportunity to visit Punta Pitt and Isla Lobos, through the Itinerary C.
Likewise, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the delicate ecosystem of the Galápagos Islands through the application of biosafety guidelines with both our vessels and passengers to avoid any type of risk.
The monitoring and follow-up actions for the presence of avian influenza are led by the Galápagos National Park Directorate in coordination with the Galápagos Biosecurity & Quarantine Regulation & Control Agency who carry out the analysis of the samples. And the support of allied organizations such as the Charles Darwin Organization.
