A stronger-than-normal El Nino alarms scientists over Galápagos wildlife and forests

NOAA predicts a very strong El Niño (about 2.2°C above normal), raising major concern for the Galápagos' fragile ecosystems.
Iconic species — Galápagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, sea lions and corals — face food shortages and could see big population drops (scientists warn at least ~20% decline), echoing the severe 1998 losses.
Local scientists, the government and NGOs are racing to protect species with invasive-plant control, seed banking and nurseries to help vulnerable forests and plants survive the heavy rains.