Ecuador Seeking Endangered Status for Galapagos Islands

Galapagos may get 'in danger' listing (AP): "Ecuador says tourism is threatening the Galapagos Islands and has asked UNESCO to add the habitat that inspired the theory of evolution to its endangered list."

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has the Galapagos and other sites around the world on its agenda at an upcoming meeting in New Zealand. It will "also examine how climate change is affecting World Heritage sites and ways to protect them from natural disasters."

The Galapagos Archipelago, named a World Heritage Site in 1978, is top destination and although measures have been in place for some time to protect the fragile environment and the wildlife, authorities fear increased tourism threatens the islands.

Photo of a giant tortoise, always an attraction to island visitors, thanks to ArtToday.com.

Related Resources: World Heritage List for South America .