A remote Mexican volcanic island was once nearly destroyed by a plague of goats.

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Located 241 kilometres off the coast of Baja California, Guadalupe Island is a rugged, arid volcanic outpost. Once a sanctuary for fur seals, the island suffered a century-long ecological collapse after feral goats were introduced in the 1800s, nearly wiping out its native forests and unique bird species.

Guadalupe Island is the westernmost point of Mexico, rising from the Pacific Ocean as a series of shield volcanoes. For centuries, the island served as a hunting ground for sealers who introduced goats for provisions. By the turn of the 20th century, these animals had multiplied into a population of up to 100,000, stripping the landscape of vegetation and preventing tree regeneration. Naturalist A. W. Anthony noted in 1901 that the goats were directly responsible for the extinction of several plant species and the disappearance of native birds.

The island's recovery began in earnest at the turn of the millennium. In 2000, conservationists installed fences to protect sensitive areas, and by 2002, a coordinated effort between the Mexican government and environmental organizations began the systematic removal of the feral goat population. By 2007, approximately 10,000 goats had been eradicated. This intervention allowed native species like the Monterey pine and Guadalupe cypress to finally produce seedlings again after 150 years of dormancy.

Today, the island is a protected biosphere reserve, home to a small community of fishermen and a military weather station. It is a critical habitat for marine life, including the northern elephant seal, which was saved from the brink of extinction after a remnant population of eight was discovered there in 1892. While the island was once a global hub for great white shark cage diving, the Mexican government imposed a permanent ban on all tourism in 2023 to ensure the long-term conservation of the island's fragile ecosystem.

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