BBC's Damian Grammaticas: A threat to a "most precious habitat anywhere on Earth"

The Gal�pagos - about 1700km west of Ecuador in South America - are the most precious habitat anywhere on Earth. Many of the species of animals and plants that exist there can be found nowhere else.

Two weeks ago the volcano on the largest island, Isabela, begun spewing molten lava, producing a river about 3km long and 50m wide that passed closed to the area where the slow-moving giant tortoises make their homes, killing at least one.

'Operation Tortoise'

It may be uncomfortable, but at least its quick

Now, these slow moving creatures are getting a helping hand from their human neighbours, who are not at risk.

Under "Operation Tortoise", Ecuador's armed forces have begun moving those most at risk to safer parts of the island.

Eleven of the creatures - each weighing up to 100kg - have been airlifted to safety in the past few days.

A vanishing rare species

Blue Hill volcano unleashes its power on Isabele after being dormant for many years

The tortoises are one of the world's most endangered species. At the latest count four years ago there were 735 giant tortoises remaining.

They were found by Charles Darwin when he visited the Gal�pagos a century ago and developed his theory of evolution.