Veterinarians have attended to the farm animals of Puerto Velasco Ibarra, Floreana Island.

Photo By Red Mangrove

 

Photo By Red Mangrove

 

Photo By Red Mangrove

 

Veterinarians have attended to the farm animals of Puerto Velasco Ibarra, Floreana Island.

Red Mangrove is pleased to announce a successful campaign to improve the health and the lives of the horses in Galapagos.

This occasion marks the first time Veterinarians have attended to the farm animals of Puerto Velasco Ibarra, Floreana Island. These animals include horses, mules and pigs. Floreana’s horses are not used for tourism now though there is potential for growth in that area which will benefit families. It is important for Galapagos and her people that all animals be in good health and physical condition.

Meanwhile the second phase of veterinary care for horses was completed. Thanks to professionals from the University of Cuenca, after which we noted the dramatic improvement of the animals treated months ago, and the continued care by their owners in their quest to be able to have their horses suitable for tourism. This visit included talks on nutrition, hoof care, saddles and other general healthcare and safety recommendations.

During three days 235 horses were treated! The Ministry of Agriculture for Galapagos, worked with our team to issue health cards and certificates, for horses suitable for tourism. Those animals that did not pass these standards can not be used for tourism until they do. We are happy that there are now these rules to protect the tourists and the horses from unsafe practices. Because the farmers make their living using the horses in tourism, they now have motivation to take better care of the animals, as the health and condition of the horses are now monitored.

The final success of this phase was the creation of a partnership of the horses’ owners to work together for the betterment of all involved. Some of the things they can do better as a team are: acquiring and sharing expensive working tools, training to catch horses’ health care issues faster, insemination of mares to improve the breed and more. This new organization (whose name is suggested by horses’ owners as "Red Mangrove" in gratitude to our project), will protect the livelihoods of the families involved while expanding that protection to include the safety of the tourists and the health and happiness of the horses that make it all possible.

Special thanks to Dr. Palacios and son, Dr. Gonzales, Ing. Luis Bravo Director of MAGAP to Galapagos for his management and for securing the continuity of this program. We look forward to more projects together.