Ecuador has declared an emergency in the Galapagos Islands, saying that a petrol tanker which ran aground last Friday still poses a threat to the archipelago's fragile ecosystem. The ship's cargo has been emptied, but the authorities said pollutants, like motor oil, inside the vessel could spill and cause environmental damage. They are working to remove the tanker. The Galapagos are home to unique animal species such as the giant tortoise, marine iguana and flightless cormorant.In 1978, the chain of volcanic islands were declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.