Peru's Humboldt Penguins Face Threats from El Niño and Bird Flu

The Humboldt penguin population in Peru has plummeted by two-thirds between 2022 and 2025, suffering from the effects of H5N1 avian influenza and the El Niño phenomenon. Experts warn that an upcoming super El Niño could further jeopardize the species' future.

Scientists report that penguins are already abandoning their nests as warmer coastal waters are driving their main prey, Peruvian anchovy, deeper and further offshore. This forces penguins to undertake longer fishing trips for food, leading to nest abandonment and reduced breeding success. For instance, in the Punta San Juan de Marcona National Reserve, the number of nests halved between April and May 2026.

In addition to El Niño, Humboldt penguins have been severely impacted by avian flu. Between 2022 and 2023, approximately 558,000 seabirds, including penguins, died in Peru due to the virus. Scientists and conservationists are urging the Peruvian government and the IUCN to revise the Humboldt penguin's conservation status to reflect the increasing threats and bolster conservation efforts.