Veterinary assistance for the horses used for tourism in Puerto Villamil, Isabela

Photo By Red Mangrove

 

Photo By Red Mangrove

 

Photo By Red Mangrove

 

Photo By Red Mangrove

 

Veterinary assistance for the horses used for tourism in Puerto Villamil, Isabela

Red Mangrove is pleased to announce as part of the continuing community initiatives in the Galapagos Islands, the completion of the first stage of care for the horses in Puerto Villamil Isabela.

Red Mangrove is especially focused on those issues that directly impact tourism and strives to help increase the quality of services provided.

One of the major concerns had been the care and conditions of the horses in Puerto Villamil that are used by tourists to visit the volcano Sierra Negra, the second largest volcanic crater in the world. This site is visited by most all tourists that come to Isabella and is one of the highlights of the trip. Unfortunately, besides the obvious leg wounds, the horses suffered from cramps, which are the result of poor diet in horses. The owners of the animals also lacked appropriate grooming items and other accessories that ensure health and wellbeing.

In the recent months there have been several accidents due to injured animals being used causing harm not only to the horses but to the tourists.Red Mangrove brought in a team of veterinary specialists from the University of Cuenca, which made diagnoses and an action plan to quickly rehabilitate the horses.

During this intense three day clinic in conjunction with eight farmers, two doctors, two guests of Red Mangrove, three staff members of Red Mangrove, and a representative of the animal quarantine center for Galapagos. The team took a total of one hundred seventy two animals, of which were one hundred sixty seven geldings, two mares, two colts and a mule and started an intensive care program combined with a training program for the farmers and owners of the horses.

The two mares are the only remaining female horses on Isabela and are key to the sustainability of this herd as no livestock are allowed to be brought into the Galapagos Islands at this time. The team also put in place a monitoring program to ensure ongoing care and maintenance of the animals.

This program has three goals:
1) To increase the health of the animals and their environment
2) To secure this business sustainably with the local owners and
3) to provide a safe, happy experience for tourists visiting this amazing island.

Red Mangrove would like to thank all those who participated in this project, especially the doctors who did a tremendous job in a short period of time including Dr. Palacios, Dr. Gonzalez, our dear guests, and the Red Mangrove staff for their support in this initiative.