In 1959, a few goats introduced to Pinta Island in the Galápagos triggered an ecological disaster. Their unchecked grazing decimated native vegetation, particularly the vital Opuntia cactus, leading to soil erosion and ecosystem collapse. Decades later, a massive conservation effort, Project Isabela, successfully removed the invasive animals. While restoration is slow, Pinta Island now stands as a stark reminder of nature’s fragility and the possibility of recovery.
