Nature Briefs
Sitka deer rely on Alaska’s old-growth forests, and rare Amargosa toads depend on a short stretch of river in the northern Mojave Desert.
With their adorably awkward gait and curious countenance, Humboldt penguins are undeniably charming. Unfortunately, cuteness does not automatically translate to a secure future.
The flightless black-and-white birds are found only on the islands and rocky shores of Chile and Peru and in the cold water of their namesake, the Pacific Ocean’s Humboldt Current. Flowing north along the west coast of South America, the Humboldt Current is a marine upwelling ecosystem that provides a nutrient-rich environment critical to Peru’s anchoveta fishery, which is itself critical to the penguin’s diet and is the world’s largest single-species fishery by volume.
Humboldt penguins are officially listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and as endangered in Peru, where the species is legally protected by the federal government, and hunting, possession, capture, transportation and export for commercial purposes are forbidden.
2024, the world’s hottest year on record, brought a confluence of threats that overwhelmed the beloved species. The region experienced a particularly volatile cycle of El Niño, a natural warming of ocean surface temperatures that occurs irregularly every two to seven years and typically lasts nine to 12 months. The warmer water reduced the birds’ food supply of fish and crustaceans. At the same time, avian flu found its way to the already imperiled species. Entire colonies were lost, the overall population was decimated, and reproduction rates fell dramatically.
According to Angelo Aguilar, The Nature Conservancy’s fisheries specialist in Peru, helping Humboldt penguins starts with people understanding what is happening. “Local people and tourists love the penguins,” says Angelo. “You can still see groups of penguins, which I think leads some people to think there are a lot of them—but that is not the situation.”
Quote: ANGELO AGUILAR
You can still see groups of penguins, which I think leads some people to think there are a lot of them—but that is not the situation.
TNC’s fisheries specialist in Peru
TNC is working with local people and the Peruvian government in marine protected areas where penguins and other wildlife live. “We are collaborating with the artisanal fishing community to gather data and then share results to guide their management decisions,” says Angelo. “The community is establishing their own management practices to maintain their livelihoods, which also helps protect habitat and provide food for penguins.”
Alongside the Peruvian government and local partners, TNC is also helping tour boat operators adopt responsible tourism practices such as keeping a safe distance from penguin colonies and advising visitors to avoid loud noises and other behaviors that can stress the birds.
Angelo is optimistic that the combined effects of local leadership and science-driven conservation can help the penguin population rebound. “For me, it is about community and family,” he says. “The penguins protect their families. It is our job to be their community and protect them.”
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