Viagra and Helicopter Gunships
The most powerful tools for conservationists in the Galapagos turn out to be Viagra and helicopter gunships. Introduced goats consume all of the vegetation that formerly fed the giant tortoises. Efforts at eradication were unsuccessful until the authorities brought dogs over from Switzerland to herd the goats into headlands whereupon they were shot from helicopters. Island after island is being declared free of goats and the tortoises are coming back.
Sea cucumbers are highly sought after in traditional Chinese medicine because they supposedly help us older guys, uh, “perform”. With Viagra as close as one’s inbox, however, perhaps the illegal harvesting of these animals will stop.
(Off the boat now, in Guayaquil and headed for Peru…)
