Why Socotra is dubbed the 'Galapagos of the Indian Ocean'

Situated off Yemen’s southeast coast in the Indian Ocean, Socotra is an archipelago consisting of four islands and two islets. Though you may not be familiar with it, the archipelago is often called 'the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean.' This is because it boasts an abundance of unique flora and fauna that can’t be found anywhere else on the planet.

Socotra is part of Yemen, a country embroiled in a prolonged civil war that has lasted for seven years. The islands lie about 250 miles (402 kilometers) from Yemen's coast and 60 miles (96 kilometers) from the Horn of Africa. The main island, Socotra, is the largest and most diverse, featuring rugged plateaus at various sea elevations. Its vegetation includes dry shrublands, succulent plants, semi-evergreen woodlands, evergreen woodlands, and grasslands, while the other islands are more arid and dry.

In addition to its unique plant and animal species, Socotra is home to around 60,000 residents who live on the main island. These people have inhabited the islands for thousands of years, speaking their own language, Socotri. The islands have long been part of trade routes, with artifacts dating back to the first century B.C.E. from sailors found on the islands.

Socotra's Otherworldly Trees

As previously mentioned, Socotra’s uniqueness lies in its exceptional plant and animal life. This is one of the reasons Socotra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Socotra has been isolated for at least 20 million years, attracting birds, insects, and seeds carried by the wind, contributing to its rich biodiversity. When UN biologists surveyed the islands in the 1990s, they discovered nearly 700 species that are found nowhere else on Earth. At that time, only Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands had more endemic species.

Of the 825 plant species found on Socotra, 37% are endemic. The most famous native plant is the dragon's blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari), named for its red resin used in dyes and medicines. These striking trees feature thick trunks and wide branches that form umbrella-like canopies. Their long, needle-like leaves are adapted to the island's hot, dry environment.

Socotra is home to a variety of unique plants, such as the Adenium socotranum, also known as the Socotra desert rose. This remarkable plant stores water in its thick trunk and has few flowers or leaves. The islands are also known for being the origin of two well-known plants: frankincense and myrrh.

Wildlife in Socotra

While the trees and plants on Socotra may seem outlandish, the islands also host a number of rare animal species. Over 90% of the reptiles on the islands are endemic. Socotra is home to nearly 200 species of land and sea birds, many of which are endangered, including the Socotra sunbird, Egyptian vulture, Socotra cormorant, and Socotra bunting. The surrounding marine life is equally diverse, with more than 250 types of coral, almost 750 species of fish, and 300 varieties of lobster, shrimp, and crab, including the Socotra limestone crab.

Bats are the only mammals native to Socotra, and they thrive in the numerous caves scattered throughout the islands.

Are the Species of Socotra Facing Extinction?

Like much of the world, Socotra's plant and animal life is under threat from invasive species, particularly goats. These animals pose a major danger to the dragon's blood trees, as they consume young saplings before they can grow. Though these trees can live for thousands of years, their ability to reproduce is becoming increasingly difficult.

The weather is another significant challenge for the island. In the fall of 2015, two cyclones struck Socotra within a week, a phenomenon never recorded before, according to The Washington Post's historical weather data dating back to 1891. Then, in 2018, another storm brought severe flooding and claimed at least 11 lives. These increasingly frequent storms, exacerbated by climate change, threaten to continue impacting the island, while crop yields have dropped and the land has become less lush.

In 2018, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recommended that Socotra be placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

"Socotra Archipelago faces numerous threats, many of which arise from the rapid pace of human activities that need to be controlled," said Peter Shadie, senior adviser on World Heritage at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). "Placing the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger will help catalyze swift action to ensure Socotra's conservation while addressing the needs of the local population."

The Impact of Yemen's Civil War on the Islands

Due to its isolation, Socotra managed to remain unaffected by Yemen's ongoing conflict for many years. However, in 2018, the war between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates finally reached the island, drawing Socotra into a power struggle between the two nations.

In 2020, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a group of Yemeni separatists, took control of the island from the Saudi-backed government. Despite this shift in power, the UAE still maintains significant influence there. While the region is marked by political tension, the islands have managed to avoid much of the conflict, offering a refuge for some Yemenis fleeing the violence on the mainland.