Giant tortoises threatened as Galapagos volcano erupts

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The island is home to rare and unique flora and fauna, including the Galapagos Giant Tortoise, which can weigh more than 230 kilos (500 pounds) and live more than 100 years.

"The eruption is a natural process" because the Galapagos islands "are of volcanic origin," the park said in a statement.

However the volcano is spewing lava on the north-east side of the island where a large population of tortoises lives, it added.

Park rangers are monitoring the volcano's activity to make sure that "neither human lives nor the population of giant tortoises are at risk," the statement said.

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In 2007, UNESCO declared the archipelago's environment in danger due to the increase of tourism and the introduction of invasive species.

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