Landau, September 7, 2026.
On the initiative of the NGO Oikonos, the Universidad Científica del Sur (Dr. Carlos Zavalaga, Peru), and Sphenisco, scientists, NGOs, and policymakers established a binational working group on August 24, 2026, dedicated to the conservation of Humboldt penguins.
The reason for this is the alarming decline in the population in Chile and Peru. The goal of the initiative is to analyze the current situation of the Humboldt penguin in both countries, identify conservation priorities, improve coordination and cooperation, and promote scientifically sound measures. Forty-two people from a wide variety of institutions attended the founding meeting, including Chilean researchers Paulina Acre (1) and Maximiliano Daigre (2), Milagros Ormeno and Julio Reyes from the Peruvian partner organization Acorema, Nancy Duman and Valeria Paz Canto from Sphenisco Chile, and Veronica Abrego and Werner Knauf from Sphenisco.
1. Summary of the Presentations
In the first part of the workshop, experts presented on current population trends and efforts to protect the Humboldt penguin and its habitat.
Moderator Veronica Lopez (NGO Oikonos) began by outlining the current legal framework. In Chile, the national conservation plan (Plan Recoge), adopted in 2024, serves as the legal basis; in Peru, a national conservation plan is also currently being developed.
Dr. Zavalaga, the coordinator for Peru, summarized the alarming population trends in Peru and their causes. He proposed the following measures:
- Establishment of temporary no-fishing zones around breeding colonies (based on successful models in South Africa).
- Temporary suspension of tourist activities and increased monitoring in the colonies during the recovery phase following the current El Niño.
- Eradication of invasive species (rats and cats, particularly on Lobo de Tierra Island).
- Minimizing human disturbance during guano mining.
- Repair the fencing around the Punta San Juan colony to prevent the intrusion of terrestrial predators such as foxes.
In addition, Dr. Zavalaga called for the swift adoption of Peru’s national nature conservation plan and for the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) to upgrade the Humboldt penguin’s status from “endangered” to “highly endangered” or “critically endangered.”
In her presentation, Verónica López focused primarily on the issue of bycatch and explained the conditions surrounding this problematic fishery as well as possible courses of action. She cited ProDelphinus’s (Peru) “Héroes del Mar” program and the petition on the website “esmasqueunpinguino.cl” as exemplary initiatives for education and raising awareness.
Paulina Acre (1) summarized the critical decline of the population in Chile, citing research funded by Sphenisco (3). Regarding the extent of the threat posed by fishing with purse seines and gillnets, she explained: “(...) that the loss of sexually mature individuals is catastrophic given the species’ biological recovery times (...) In summary, it takes nature between six and eight years to replace a single reproductive adult. Deaths in fishing nets therefore rapidly undermine the ability of colonies to regenerate.”
2. Summary of the Group Work
In the second part of the meeting, discussions continued in two working groups.
The “Land Group” developed the following proposals:
1. Regarding dead birds found:
The monitoring and analysis of dead birds found should be better standardized. In addition, simple criteria and a professional code of conduct for identification should be developed.
2. Regarding biological monitoring, four to six priority sites should be established. This would allow for the consolidation of expert information, enabling a rapid response to climatic uncertainties and changes in the use of breeding colonies.
3. Eradication of invasive species.
4. In light of the expected devastation caused by El Niño, tourism should be strictly controlled or suspended, and human disturbances should be prevented more effectively.
5. Development of a code of conduct for institutions conducting maintenance work on breeding islands (Nancy Duman).
6. Regarding Peru’s national nature conservation plan:
The plan should be adopted in the near future. In Chile, the suspended designation of the Humboldt penguin as a natural monument, as well as its equally suspended legal reclassification as “critically endangered,” should be lifted.
7. Regarding the 2027 molting census:
The census in early 2027 is of paramount importance. Therefore, the necessary logistical resources and financial funding must be secured without fail.
The “Sea Group” developed the following proposals:
1. The same proposals were made regarding dead penguin finds (see above). In addition, it was suggested that guidelines be developed for coastal inspectors to help distinguish young Humboldt penguins from young Magellanic penguins.
2. Regarding the use of GPS data:
Data on the penguins’ foraging behavior (Choros, Cachagua, and Pájaros Niños islands in Chile) should be used (3) to coordinate fishing seasons in cooperation with fishermen in order to avoid spatial overlaps and reduce bycatch. An informational brochure with an interactive map is already planned for the Humboldt Archipelago. (4)
3. Regarding international protection:
At the 12th International Penguin Conference (August 31–September 4, 2026) in Australia, a decision should be made to protect marine areas near breeding colonies during the breeding season.
4. Regarding inter-institutional coordination and data exchange:
Data from Sernapesca (Chile) and Serfor/Imarpe (Peru) should be standardized through similar definitions and guidelines for data collection to enable binational comparisons.
5. On the optimization of resources and educational materials:
Existing environmental education materials and graphics from organizations such as ProDelphinus should be shared to reduce costs for future awareness campaigns in both countries. (5)
3. Topics Discussed in the Closing Plenary Session
1. Regarding Reclassification:
The workshop featured an in-depth discussion of the IUCN’s reclassification. Since the Humboldt penguin has been legally classified as “critically endangered” in both Chile and Peru, a proposal should be made to reclassify its status internationally from “endangered” to at least “critically endangered.”
2. On environmental education and public outreach:
Milagros Ormeño Benavides (Acorema) proposed resuming the 2024 campaign “The Humboldt Penguin as a Symbol of the Humboldt Current” and integrating it into international petitions (6).
4. Next Steps
The workshop’s organizing team (Paulina Acre, Veronica Lopez, Dr. Carlos Zavalaga) announced that minutes would be prepared and that participants would be surveyed (via Mentimeter):
1. How can your institution or organization contribute to the protection of the Humboldt penguin?
2. Which initiatives need to be coordinated and implemented jointly? How can this coordination be achieved?
The workshop minutes, the survey results, and a draft strategy for the work of the binational alliance will be made available to all participants.
W.K.
Notes
For the sake of readability, the generic masculine form is used in this article. Unless otherwise indicated, references to people in this article apply to all genders.
(1) Paulina Acre, Universidad Santo Tomás, Humboldt Penguin Research Group, Santiago, Chile.
(2) Maximiliano Daigre, Humboldt Penguin Research Group, Santiago, Chile.
(3) Since 2021, a research group led by Dr. Alejandro Simeone has been conducting research on the population, breeding success, and foraging behavior of the Humboldt penguin in Chile on behalf of Sphenisco. The project is funded by the Zoo Karlsruhe Species Conservation Foundation, the Dresden Zoo, and the Friends of Hagenbeck Zoo Association.
(4) In the “Ocean Group,” Veronica Abrego and Werner Knauf presented the plan by Sphenisco and Sphenisco Chile to use GPS data to prevent or reduce bycatch. As part of this effort, an informational brochure and interactive map will be developed for workshops with fishermen in the Humboldt Archipelago region to prevent collisions with fishing vessels.
(5) The materials from Acorema (Peru) and Sphenisco Chile are also very well suited. Both institutions are willing to make their materials available.
(6) In April 2024, Sphenisco Chile launched the campaign “Humboldt Penguin—Symbolic Bird of the Humboldt Current,” in which Acorema in Peru also participated.
translated by Angelika Veelken using/reviewing deepl.com
