Galapagos Penguin Population. Precipitous declines in the Galapagos penguin population have followed past major El Niño events, including 1982-83 and 1997-98. In addition, the species has a small population and is restricted to a very small range, with breeding confined to a few locations. Then, during the monitoring trips in 2017-2018, the team found numerous juvenile penguins (nearly 60% of all penguins observed) in good condition, indicating a successful breeding season. Life expectancy in the wild: 9.5 years. Although the population is small, the exact size is unknown: it could have been as low as 700 individuals in 1983 or as high as 10,000 in 1971. Population justification. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Penguins are more common in colder areas of the southern hemisphere, more often associated with icebergs and frigid temperatures than the cacti and scorching heat of Galapagos. It has the smallest population of all penguins. The population experienced drastic reductions during the 1982-83 and 1997-98 El Niño events, experiencing a total decline in numbers of approximately 60%. Due to years of decline, only about 1,200 Galapagos penguins currently remain in the wild. Coat is black on the head and back with white markings on the head, belly and underside of the flippers Population size has varied and declined probably The two eggs are laid directly on the lava flows – in cracks … The Galápagos penguin is the only species found north of the equator and in the Galápagos. Unlike most cold-water penguins, they have several adaptations that allow them to tolerate the warmer climate of Galapagos. Since the program began, nearly a quarter of all penguin breeding activity observed has been in constructed nests. The long-term goals of this project are to reverse the decline of the Galapagos penguin population, and to strengthen the population so that it can better withstand more frequent and intense El Niño events, which are occurring more due to global climate change. No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died, Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population, Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the Wild, Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild, Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future, Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened. TREND: Stable. A slow recovery began in 1985. Finally, as Galapagos penguins (like all penguins) are air breathers that regularly come to the sea surface, an oil spill in the Galapagos Islands could be a major threat to this rare, coastal species. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. World Population: less than 1,000 breeding pairs . Flightless cormorant numbers increased from … Interesting tidbit about Galapagos Penguins: This is the only penguin species that crosses the equator and has some populations that breed just along the edge of the Northern Hemisphere. Get breaking news from the Galapagos Islands along with important conservation updates, announcements and more directly to your inbox! The favorable conditions may result in the first population increase in years. Penguins were using both constructed and natural nests. The Galapagos penguin is one of the smallest species of penguins in the world. Meanwhile, for the Flightless cormorants, this … Galapagos penguins are the rarest and most endangered penguin species in the world, and the only penguins found at the equator. Galapagos penguins live in colonies and are territorial, protecting their nesting area from neighbors. The population of Galapagos penguins, the only ones living on the Earth's equator, increased from 1,451 in 2019 to 1,940 in 2020. Predators: Predators of Galapagos penguins are rice-rats, short-eared owls, Galapagos hawks, cats, crabs, and snakes. In 2010, researchers constructed 120 high-quality, shady penguin nest sites in prime penguin habitat to increase access to nests (a limited resource), and thus impact reproduction and recruitment into the population. At the end of El Niño in 2016, Dr. Boersma counted over 300 penguins, but only one juvenile. 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