Landau, August 3, 2026
C H I L E
+++“Show Your Face!” Initiative+++
In early June, Fundación Sphenisco Chile reached out to political leaders and the public—both through a letter and in person—to advocate for better protection of Humboldt penguins. In doing so, the foundation referred to the “Show Your Face!” initiative and the report on World Penguin Day. https://sphenisco.org/es/startseite-es/news-es/welt-pinguin-tag-im-zeichen-der-krise-des-humboldt-pinguins-es
+++World Environment Day in Ovalle+++
On the occasion of the World Environment Day on June 5, Fundación Sphenisco Chile participated in the environmental fair at the “Colegio Manantial” school in Ovalle with the traveling photo exhibition “Let’s Explore the Archipelago: Source of Life for Humanity.”
+++HumboldtCam+++
Researcher Thomas Mattern has proposed installing a PenguinCam on a breeding island in Chile on a permanent basis. Experience with live animal cams has shown that thousands of people follow the stream and develop a “personal” connection to the animals. This leads to the formation of communities that interact with each other in the chat window. Penguins breed twice a year, so activity in the nest can be observed over many weeks. The Sphenisco board supports and promotes the idea of using a HumboldtCam for public outreach in Chile and Peru. For zoos, this initiative opens up the possibility of showing the livestream, possibly even directly at penguin sites.
+++Research in the (Southern) Winter of 2026+++
At the end of June, Thomas Mattern and his team continued their research on foraging behavior on the Pájaro Niño Islands in central Chile. The researchers attached seven GPS loggers to penguins and were able to retrieve them later. They also installed a HumboldtCam on the peninsula and streamed images of the breeding activity. The plan to continue fieldwork on the islands of Cachagua and Tilgo and to test the HumboldtCam there as well was thwarted by days of severe weather with heavy rain. Currently, it is still not possible to reach the breeding islands—except for Pájaro Niño. On this breeding island, many nests were flooded by the heavy rain, but some remained intact. (See also the article “The Penguin Community …”)
According to forecasts, the developing El Niño is expected to be very strong and will likely severely disrupt the breeding season in the (southern) spring. It is therefore highly questionable whether research using GPS loggers and underwater cameras will be possible or worthwhile. Funding for the research on population size, breeding success, and foraging is provided by the Species Conservation Foundation of the Karlsruhe Zoo, the Dresden Zoo, and the Friends of Hagenbeck Zoo e.V.
+++National Artisanal Fishing Day+++
On National Artisanal Fishing Day (June 29), the Fundación Sphenisco Chile recognized theimportance of small-scale fishing and called for: “... to work toward responsible and sustainable fishing that respects natural cycles, prevents overfishing of stocks, and protects marine biodiversity. (…) Protecting the ocean also means securing the future of artisanal fishing and the families that depend on it. On this day, we honor small-scale fishermen for their dedication, commitment, and contribution to the development of our coastal regions.”
+++Photo Exhibition at CEAZA (1)+++
In early July 2026, the photo exhibition “Let’s Explore the Archipelago: Source of Life for Humanity” opened at the CEAZA (1) Center for Environmental Education. The exhibition in downtown La Serena was scheduled to run through August 6. Due to severe weather with heavy rain, it had to be cut short and the exhibits moved to safety.
+++Award for Sphenisco Chile+++
The Faculty of Marine Sciences at the Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN) is honoring the Fundación Sphenisco Chile as a “Notable Institution” for 2025. The award was to be presented as part of the celebrations marking the 43rd anniversary of the Faculty of Marine Sciences on July 22. Due to the storm, this event had to be postponed twice and is now scheduled to take place on August 12.
+++Winners Announced+++
In mid-July, Fundación Sphenisco Chile announced the winners of the 2nd literary contest, “The Humboldt Archipelago in 110 Words.” The project is sponsored by the Rostock Zoo and the Rhenen Zoo. (See article “Second Literary Contest – Announcement ...”).
+++Rescue Plan for the Humboldt Penguin+++
Subpesca, the Undersecretariat for Fisheries and Aquaculture, invited experts and NGOs on July 21 to an in-person and online event regarding the implementation of the RECOGE plan. Title of the meeting: “RECOGE Plan for the Humboldt Penguin: Governance, Science, and Territory.” The working session was intended to promote the implementation of the plan for the reintroduction, conservation, and management (RECOGE) of the Humboldt penguin. Due to severe weather, this event also had to be postponed. It was rescheduled for July 28. Reports on the proceedings and results were not yet available at press time.
+++Aid Under Extreme Conditions+++
The team from Fundación Sphenisco Chile, Alianza Humboldt, and the production company Big Travel reached the mountain village of Los Morros in the municipality of La Higuera with great difficulty to assist 40 families.The families had been cut off from the outside world due to the severe storm with heavy rain in the Atacama and Coquimbo regions. Traveling on the heavily damaged roads, the aid workers were on the road for nearly 10 hours, as many roads remain impassable. Thanks to the “La Higuera Is Not Alone” campaign, 700,000 pesos (approximately 650 €) were raised to purchase basic food supplies for the families in Los Morros. Dog and cat food was also distributed.
The team managed to reach Los Morros before the rain returned and the roads became impassable once again. Fundación Sphenisco Chile writes: “We are deeply moved and grateful that, with the help of so many people, we were able to reach this community. We thank everyone who contributed from the bottom of our hearts: the Chilean College of Veterinary Medicine, the Carozzi company for donating dog and cat food, and the Big Travel company for providing transportation, as well as all the volunteers who made this mission possible. But the emergency continues, and there is still much to be done. The campaign is ongoing, and we need your support once again. You can help by donating non-perishable food items at our collection point .” (See also the article “The Penguin Community …“)
P E R U
+++Call for Better Protection+++
In June 2026, the NGO Acorema also issued a public statement addressed to government institutions, fishing and tourism associations, and private organizations to draw attention to the critical situation facing the Humboldt penguin. In its statement, the NGO calls on all stakeholders to commit to the conservation of Humboldt penguins and to improve their protection. On June 24, the statement was published on Facebook and Instagram. In its appeal, Acorema also refers to the joint campaign “Let’s save the Humboldt penguin together!” (See also the attached images “The Humboldt penguin: An icon on the brink of silence” and “No industrial fishing in nature reserves!” as well as the article “Call to action by the NGO Acorema …”).
+++Breeding Success on the Ballestas Islands+++
In 2021/22, Acorema conducted a study on behalf of Sphenisco to investigate breeding success on the Ballestas Islands in southern Peru. This study was repeated in 2024/2025 with the aim of conducting a “pre-post comparison.” Title: “Comparison of Population Size and Reproductive Success of the Humboldt Penguin Colony on the Ballestas Islands Before and After Avian Influenza and El Niño.” In July, the NGO presented a preliminary summary. The study documents a 56.45% decline in breeding penguins and a 40.34% decline in active nests. Despite avian influenza and El Niño, breeding success per active nest improved: 0.8 (2022) vs. 1.28 (2025). The study was funded by the Frankfurt Zoo and the Marlow Bird Park.
E U R O P E
+++2026 General Meeting+++
At the end of June 2026, Sphenisco e.V.’s traditional general meeting took place in Landau, accompanied by detailed information on projects and activities. Despite record-breaking heat, the meeting was well attended. (See article “General Meeting Amid Record-Breaking Heat”).
+++Species Conservation Day at the Frankfurt Zoo+++
Nicole Kambeck, a member of Sphenisco, reported: “At this year’s Species Conservation Day at the Frankfurt Zoo, the Frankfurt Sphenisco team came up with something special for the young visitors: Using a lovingly designed craft template, children could make their own penguin. The activity was met with great enthusiasm—the craft corner was constantly busy throughout the entire day.
The popular species conservation quiz was also a must-have this year. Sphenisco was once again involved in developing the quiz questions and taught visitors, in a playful way, interesting facts about the conservation of the endangered Humboldt penguins. For example, they learned why the extraction of guano is harmful to the animals. Guano, the years, is of great ecological importance along the coasts of Peru and in northern Chile. Humboldt penguins dig their nesting burrows into the soft layers of guano, which provide their eggs and chicks with protection from intense sunlight. However, the large-scale mining of this so-called “white gold” for use as plant fertilizer has significantly destroyed the penguins’ natural habitat and is one of the main causes of their population decline. Sphenisco therefore advises against purchasing fertilizers containing guano. But guano mining is just one of many threats to Humboldt penguins.
Overfishing, death in fishing nets, and the growing effects of climate change are also taking an increasing toll on these animals and making it harder for them to survive. (…).”
+++Philosophical Penguins Support Their Own Kind+++
Juli Hornen, a former zoo educator, art therapist, and artist from Landau, has created a set of cards to support species conservation. The idea to design a set of 10 cards featuring different penguin species was developed at the 2025 annual general meeting. With a twinkle in their eyes, each of these penguins addresses the viewer with a short, philosophical message and a question for reflection. The “Philosophical Penguins” can be ordered as a set of 10 art postcards directly from the artist . For every set sold, 2.50 euros goes directly to Sphenisco, thereby supporting species conservation. Link to website and order form: https://www.kunstkomplizin.de/philosophische-pinguine.html
+++Presentation on Population Trends+++
On August 5, researcher Thomas Mattern from New Zealand will give a presentation at the Karlsruhe Zoo on population trends and current threats to Humboldt penguins. The event will take place both online and in person (see the article “Research for Survival”).
+++Interviews for Managing Director+++
On Friday, August 7, candidates for the position of “Managing Director” will be interviewed. The Board of Directors hopes to recruit a new employee from among this group of highly qualified candidates.
+++12th International Penguin Conference+++
From August 31 to September 5, 2026, the 12th International Penguin Conference will take place on Phillip Island, Australia. Scientists Ursula Ellenberg (2), Alejandro Simeone (3), and Thomas Mattern (4) will present research findings on population size, breeding success, and foraging, which were and continue to be funded by Sphenisco (with support from the Species Conservation Foundation of Karlsruhe Zoo, Dresden Zoo, and the Friends of Hagenbeck Zoo Association).
Researcher Paulina Acre (5) will present a poster on the competition for food between “fishing and Humboldt penguins.” Isa Karbstein and Volker Eggert (founding members of Sphenisco) will also present a poster (6) providing an overview of Sphenisco’s work. Against the backdrop of the population’s critical decline, research findings on population dynamics as well as the public outreach and educational work of Acorema, Peru, and the Fundación Sphenisco Chile will be presented and contextualized.
Due to the alarming population trends, penguin researchers have organized a “pre-workshop” on the topic “What Works for Banded Penguins? Translating Science into Effective Conservation for African and Humboldt Penguins” (see article “Workshop: Proposals for Rescue”).
+++Film “The Hour of the Penguins”+++
The production company Doclights GmbH (7) filmed at Hagenbeck Zoo with Dave Nelde, a “penguin keeper” and member of Sphenisco, for the documentary series “Leopard, Seebär & Co.” While filming footage of Humboldt penguins, Doclights became aware of the 2012 film “The Hour of the Penguins” and plans to incorporate short clips from it. A broadcast date has not yet been set.
+++Cheers to Nature Conservation+++
Jack Gradidge, conservation officer at Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo (8), announced at the end of July about a new fundraising campaign with Tenby Brewery. Through this campaign, 20 pence from every can sold goes to Folly Farm’s conservation fund to support conservation partners, including Sphenisco. The label of this beer features a beautiful Makkaroni penguin.
+++Donations, Donations, Donations+++
In June and July 2026, the following individuals and institutions donated to Sphenisco’s species conservation projects: America Bustamante Areval, Kathrin Ballenthin, Rostock Zoo, Zoo am Meer Bremerhaven, Sphenisco’s General Assembly, Frankfurt Zoo’s Species Conservation Day, Ilko Jung, Hans Russ, Frank Hartmann, and Maximilian Gaubatz.
W.K.
Notes
For better readability, the generic masculine form is used in this article. The terms used to refer to people in this article apply—unless otherwise indicated—to all genders.
(1) Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA) is a research center in the Coquimbo region.
(2) Ellenberg, U. 2026. Living with the enemy: Humboldt penguins appear to defy fisheries and coastal development in central Chile. Presentation IPC12.
(3) Simeone, A. 2026. Declining Humboldt penguins in Chile: trends, possible causes, and future perspectives. Presentation IPC12.
(4) Mattern, T. 2026. From linear foraging to seabed mining, from marathon to super-charged penguins—25 years of penguin research in Aotearoa New Zealand. Keynote presentation IPC12.
(5) P. Acre. 2026. Where penguins meet people: Spatial overlap between foraging habitats and human pressures in coastal ecosystems. Poster, IPC12.
(6) Eggert, V., Karbstein, I., Knauf, W. 2026. Conservation of Humboldt penguins – research, environment, education, advocacy. Poster, IPC12.
(7) Doclights Naturfilm is Germany's leading nature film producer, with productions airing during primetime
(8) Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo in Pembrokeshire, Wales, is one of the most popular family attractions in the United Kingdom.
translated by Angelika Veelken using/reviewing deepl.com
