Landau, November 26, 2021

In July 2021, the research project "Breeding success on the Ballestas?" began, or to be more precise, should have begun. Though ACOREMA had provided all the equipment to get started, it first had to go through a bureaucratic hurdle race to obtain the necessary licences and permits. To be allowed to use a drone, it was necessary to apply for a licence. To get one, a course had to be completed first and an exam had to be taken. Usually, fifteen working days after the test, the Ministry of Transport and Communications then issues the licence. However, the Ministry needed more than 45 days. Only with this licence could a permit for research work in the "National Protected Area of Islands, Islets and Puntas Guaneras" be applied for. After the application was submitted, it was again a case of waiting, waiting, waiting.

Landau May 28, 2021.

For many years, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has classified the Humboldt Penguin as vulnerable, i.e., endangered. Nevertheless, an astonishing number of questions remain unanswered that are relevant to the survival of this penguin species (see article, Research for Survival). In 2019, the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) of the IUCN clearly pointed out this deficiency and appealed to researchers to clarify essential questions.

Landau May 8, 2021.

COVID not only prevents, the pandemic also inspires. In 2020, Nicole Bertram (Sphenisco) initiated the "pingutastic" campaign "Encouragement Messages" https://padlet.com/nicolebertram/4jyu8qi0o5wf

In 2021, the Professional Association of Zoo Animal Keepers e.V. (BdZ) had an unusual idea concerning the World Penguin Day (April 25). The federation called on its members to send any photos and videos on the topic „penguins“ to the board on the occasion of the honor day 2021. Many zoo keepers participated.

- ACOREMA breaks new ground -

Landau January 4, 2021.

Good and bad news reached SPHENISCO from Peru shortly before the end of the year. The bad first. The leader of the project "Queremos vivir - we want to live" Milagros Ormeño B. and almost her whole family was infected with Covid 19. The courses were very different. Milagros herself was severely affected for more than 2 weeks. However, she did not have to be hospitalized, but her mother-in-law did. In the meantime, she and the affected family members, including her parents, have survived the worst. Her little daughter Mikayla and her husband Helbert were not infected.