Galapagos Rapid Response Video Stories
Galapagos Rapid Response Video Stories
World Vets works together with the Galapagos National Park Rapid Response Program to respond 24/7 to injured wildlife on San Cristobal Island. While most of our cases involve sea lions, World Vets and the Rapid Response Team are equipped to handle all kinds of wildlife emergencies. This yellow warbler, struck by a car, was admitted to the wildlife hospital for evaluation and safely released once it was strong enough to fly again.
World Vets carries out this work under an official agreement with the Galapagos National Park. Together, our teams respond to more than 650 wildlife emergencies each year in the Galapagos Islands. Sea lions often get caught in marine debris or fishing gear, which can become wrapped around their necks, bodies, or flippers. Below are two videos showing sea lions being freed from these entanglements, allowing them to return safely to the wild.
World Vets and the National Park recently welcomed a group of local Galapagos students to the wildlife rescue center as part of the Park’s environmental education program. During their visit, the students toured the facilities, learned about the specialized tools and equipment used to safeguard Galapagos wildlife, and even practiced simulated sea lion rescues on the beach.
Engaging the public—especially young people—in conservation fosters awareness, responsibility, and active participation in the vital mission of protecting wildlife and preserving our planet.
World Vets is grateful to the SeaWorld Conservation Fund and our other generous donors who make this important work possible.
Meet Duque, a beloved dog from San Cristóbal in the Galapagos. His owner brought him to the World Vets small animal clinic after noticing something wasn’t right. During his exam, our veterinary team discovered a massive bladder stone on the x-ray—a painful and serious condition!
172 animals helped at our Galapagos campaign last week! At the World Vets clinic on San Cristóbal Island, volunteers provided free veterinary care to local pets, including 127 spay/neuter surgeries, 34 medical consultations, and a number of other surgeries and complex procedures, including the surgical removal of bladder stone the size of a baseball from a dog! This is life-changing care for animals and critically important work to help not only pets but the many endangered wildlife on the islands. Shout out to our dedicated volunteers, donors, supporters, and staff who have helped make last week’s campaign a great success.
Over 600 dogs and cats received free veterinary care in Ecuador last week! Volunteers from World Vets and Lakefield Veterinary Group teamed up to provide 322 sterilization surgeries in the town of Ibarra over a three-day period. Volunteers also offered health checkups, flea and tick prevention, deworming, and loving care for over 300 animals during a community outreach clinic in Otavalo.
Last week, World Vets wrapped up another successful spay/neuter campaign in Guatemala, in an ongoing effort to improve animal welfare in the region. In partnership with Antigua Street Dogs – Guatemala, our dedicated volunteer veterinary team carried out an impressive 337 sterilization surgeries. Many surgeries were also performed on local street dogs through the support of Municipalidad de Jocotenango.
World Vets recently completed another successful campaign in San Cristóbal, Galápagos, providing 140 animals with much-needed free veterinary care. The World Vets team performed 95 sterilizations, 42 medical consults, and several critical surgeries, ensuring better health and well-being for the island’s pets. Additionally, several stray cats were trapped and sterilized to help control overpopulation and safeguard the island’s wildlife.
World Vets remains committed to the health and well-being of the dogs and cats of San Cristobal Island by providing ongoing veterinary care to the community. Since opening its small animal clinic in 2021, the organization has treated over 5,000 pets free of charge, including 1,500 patients last year alone.
San Cristóbal, Galápagos – World Vets has reinforced its Galapagos conservation efforts with a major donation to the Galápagos National Park Directorate (DPNG) aimed at enhancing wildlife protection on San Cristóbal Island. Dr Cathy King, CEO of World Vets was there to make the presentation to speak to the audience of local authorities, park rangers and members of the community about the important work being done. In 2024, World Vets responded to over 650 wildlife cases and continues the work into 2025 with a veterinary team available 24/7 to respond to wildlife emergencies on San Cristobal Island.
