Super El Niño Threatens Galápagos Marine Iguanas as Illegal Trade Surges

International researchers are warning that a spike in black‑market trafficking of Galápagos marine iguanas is occurring at the same time a super El Niño event is devastating the algae beds that sustain the species, putting the only sea‑foraging lizard on an unprecedented survival brink.

Marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) are endemic to the Galápagos archipelago and are uniquely adapted to feed on marine algae, diving into the ocean and absorbing heat from the sun to regulate their body temperature. Their specialized diet and habitat have made them a symbol of the islands’ evolutionary legacy.

The current super El Niño, one of the strongest on record, has altered sea surface temperatures and upwelling patterns around the islands, leading to a sharp decline in the intertidal algae that the iguanas rely on. Scientists observing the islands report widespread signs of starvation, reduced breeding activity, and higher mortality among juvenile iguanas.

At the same time, enforcement agencies have noted an “unusual uptick” in the illegal capture and export of marine iguanas. While precise numbers are unavailable, the trend has been documented by wildlife officials who have intercepted several shipments destined for the exotic pet market, where the reptiles are prized for their rarity.

Conservation biologists caution that the combination of food scarcity and increased poaching could push the species toward a rapid population decline, reversing gains made since the 1970s when the iguana was listed as vulnerable. The loss of a keystone species would also affect the broader marine ecosystem, which depends on the iguanas’ grazing to maintain algal balance.

In response, the Galápagos National Park Service, in collaboration with international NGOs, is intensifying patrols, deploying remote‑sensing tools to monitor iguana colonies, and launching public‑awareness campaigns aimed at curbing demand for the animals. Researchers are also studying the feasibility of supplementary feeding programs to mitigate the immediate food shortfall caused by the El Niño.

The situation underscores a larger challenge: climate‑driven events like super El Niños are expected to become more frequent as global temperatures rise, amplifying pressures on fragile island ecosystems. Experts argue that protecting the marine iguana will require not only stricter anti‑trafficking measures but also broader climate‑adaptation strategies for the archipelago.

With the super El Niño still unfolding and illegal trade networks remaining active, scientists stress that swift, coordinated action is essential to prevent an iconic species from slipping toward extinction.