Wildlife conservation problems in the Juan Fernández Archipelago, Chile

Abstract

The rugged islands where the original Robinson Crusoe was marooned in the south-east Pacific are remarkable for the number and variety of endemic plants, some of which are pollinated by a beautiful endemic hummingbird. They are also the main breeding station of a fur seal, which once numbered millions but was later thought to be extinct, and several widespread seabirds. So far the only losses appear to be the endemic sandalwoods and widespread elephant seal, but the other wildlife is now threatened by deforestation, erosion and competition or predation from introduced species. There is a need for more support for local conservation measures, since the islands may soon start to undergo rapid development.