How did 32 Galápagos marine iguanas reach Quito?

The seizure of 32 Galápagos marine iguanas in Quito has raised a basic but unresolved question: how did the animals leave their protected habitat and reach the capital’s airport?

A Russian citizen identified as Olga K. is in preventive detention and must answer to the courts at a hearing scheduled for Sept. 18, 2026. Preliminary information from authorities indicates that she had not entered the Galápagos. If confirmed, that would suggest someone else captured the iguanas, moved them illegally through a Galápagos airport and concealed them on a flight to Quito before handing them over.

The case has also drawn attention to earlier seizures. In May, police confiscated 12 marine iguanas at José Joaquín de Olmedo Airport in Guayaquil. Proyecto Sacha, which has followed the cases, says they share the same transit corridor and similar methods.

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Moving through migration, biosecurity and baggage controls three times in three months requires some degree of internal operational knowledge.

The animal-protection foundation argues that the incidents should not be handled as isolated cases. It says moving animals through migration, biosecurity and baggage controls three times in three months would require some operational knowledge inside the system. The foundation has urged authorities to investigate possible links among the cases and identify how the alleged scheme operates.

Its recommendations include temporary rotation of public and private personnel working in migration control, baggage inspection, canine units, biosecurity, ramp operations and cargo handling at critical points. The appeal is directed to Ecuadorian ministries, the National Police, the Galápagos government council, airport concessionaires and ground-handling companies.

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The investigation and the operational knowledge that may be sustaining the scheme should cover the related events to identify operational coincidences among them.