An increasing number of tourists is generally thought to be the greatest threat to the Galapagos ecosystem. But they are unlikely culprits in the latest problem: a person or persons unknown has massacred 53 sea lions for no obvious reason.
The animals' bodies were found within a kilometre of each other on the island of Pinta, according to AFP. The sea lions, including 13 pups, died because of a strong blow from someone. It was a massacre whose motives the prosecutor's office must clarify, says Victor Carrion, an official with the Galapagos National Park.
The BBC points out that the animals are a vital part of the Galapagos food chain. Although they are sometimes hunted for their skin or for use in Chinese medicine the bodies were intact, ruling this out as a motive.
Conservation on the islands has increasingly taken second place to tourism in recent years and there have been high profile conflicts with fishermen, notably in 2000 and 2004. This new development represents a further blow to their ecosystem.
Image: Galapagos sea lions / NOAA
http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond/2008/01/galapagos_sea_lions_slaughtere.html
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