Darwin's great-great granddaughter warns birds which inspired theory of evolution are at risk of dying out

Charles Darwin's great-great granddaughter has warned that the birds which inspired his theory of evolution are at risk of dying out as she says the British public should be taught about the Galapagos Islands.

Dr Sarah Darwin, a botanist, is working with the Galapagos Conservation Trust in order to save the animals, which are at risk of extinction.

Approximately 80 per cent of the land birds founds in Galapagos cannot be found anywhere else in the world and nearly half of these are now at risk of extinction.

The mangrove finch and Floreana mockingbird, which both were great inspirations for the famous scientist, are both critically endangered, and the striking red vermilion flycatcher is threatened.

They are at risk due to threats from invasive species, introduced by humans, such as rats, feral cats and the Philornis downsi fly. The islands were uninhabited up until the last century and have since become a hotspot for British tourism.

Now, the people who live on the island, many who have come from mainland South America, are fighting to save the natural flora and fauna.

Dr Darwin said: "The Galapagos faces a lot of challenges. The researchers and national parks work incredibly hard to preserve and save the nature in the island but they really need our help.

"The local people who live on the island are really working to embrace their new nature, as it is not familiar to them. They are working hard to embrace the nature that they find.

"In the last few years, all the municipal plantings on the island grow native plants, they have gotten rid of hibiscus and other non native plants. When you go to other tropical regions you find the same plants growing. In Galapagos they are really working to embrace their nature.

"If we look after the native plants in a place then the native bees and the native birds will also find their familiar food source. They have some wonderful insects there, wonderful large bees and they all need appropriate food. It's a remarkable change in the years that I've been going to Galapagos. "

The inhabitants have taken a risk in only planting native plants, as tourists who arrive may expect bright, pretty flowers.

The scientist explained: "Of course the tourists arrive everywhere and see pretty plants - but it's a brave move to say right we are going to have the Galapagos cactus growing here instead. The Galapagos can become this incredible mini world within a world, an absolute showcase for how humans can live more harmoniously with nature.

"That's why I stress that we really need to support these people as they, just normal people not scientists, are gardening for Galapagos and embracing the nature, they just got it and suddenly realised what they themselves can do."

She said that British people also need to get involved, adding: "Evolution is part of the school curriculum but this can bring the topic alive a bit. You really do see in the Galapagos speciation taking place."

Dr Darwin is selling her sketches of the plants on the island in order to support the bird project.

She said: "I have sent some illustrations of the plants I drew and these are available for the people who donate the money. It's something very close to my heart as the Galapagos is the most incredible place and has nature that shows no fear of humans.

"You can go right up to these birds, the mockingbirds hold a particular place in my heart, they are cheeky, lovely, jaunty little birds and I particularly love them."

The measures to protect the birds include restoring habitat such as the Scalesia forest, removing invasive plants like the blackberry bush, mora, which grows in such dense thickets that it prevents the birds from reaching the ground to feed.

There are also projects to monitor nests and use insecticide treatment to stop the P. downsi fly, which feeds on chicks in the nest resulting in deformation and death.

Those interested in the campaign to save the Galapagos birds can find out more here.