Transcript The Galápagos Penguin

The Galápagos
Penguin
(Spheniscus Mendiculus)
Amanda Hoyt
APES pd. 4A
http://true-wildlife.blogspot.com/2011/02/galapagos-penguin.html
Description:
The Galápagos Penguin is
relatively small compared
to other penguins.
The average size is about
53 cm in length and 1.7 to
2.6 kg in mass.
Males are typically larger
than females.
These penguins are black
with white areas on their
heads and the front of the
body. This coloring, also
known as countershading,
helps protect them from
predators.
http://www.mountaininterval.org/photos/galapagos-2006/highlights/index2.html
Appearance:
http://www.arkive.org/galapagospenguin/spheniscus-mendiculus/imageG122467.html
Diet:
The Galápagos Penguins
are carnivores and eat
many types of small
marine creatures.
Their main sources of
food include: mullets,
sardines, anchovies, and
pilchards.
They will dive to a depth
of 30-50 meters to obtain
small crustaceans, small
fish, and invertebrates.
They will also eat some
types of zooplankton and
mollusks.
They hunt in groups and
ambush their prey.
Predators:
http://www.arkive.org/galapagospenguin/spheniscus-mendiculus/imageG122467.html
The main terrestrial
predators include; Sally
Lightfoot Crabs, Snakes,
Hawks, Owls, and the
Galápagos Rice Rats.
Domestic or feral cats
and dogs may also be
predators. In the water
their main predators are
sharks.
http://www.mountaininterval.org/photos/galapagos-2006/highlights/index2.html
Sally Lightfoot Crab
Relationship with Humans:
The penguins provide an economic benefit for humans
involving ecotourism. The penguins attract bird
watchers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Humans have a mainly negative relationship with the
penguins. Humans disturb their nesting habitats and
introduce new predators such as domesticated dogs and
cats. Humans also spread disease.
http://true-wildlife.blogspot.com/2011/02/
galapagos-penguin.html
http://mondoadventuretravel.com/portfolio-view/top-10-galapagos-adventure-travel-tours-and-galapagos-holidays/
Where is this species found?
The Galápagos Penguin is endemic to the
Galápagos Islands, with a majority of
individuals being found on Fernandina and
Isabela. They are found on most of the 19 major
islands
The Galápagos Penguin is the only penguin
species found north of the equator and in the
Galápagos. This is also the only penguin to live
and breed entirely in a tropical climate.
These penguins live in coastal areas where they
can nest on land and hunt in offshore waters.
They live in large social colonies of several
hundred individuals.
Why is this species endangered?
The Galápagos Penguin faces multiple threats. Common dangers such as pollution
and human impact on their environment influence their survival. Humans
specifically have introduced new predators such as cats and dogs. Some penguins
have been caught by commercial fishermen, and others are starving because
fisheries are harvesting their source of food. The populations also been impact by
recent El Niño events which reduce food resources. Another key reason for
endangerment is the limited options for nesting sites.
Remaining Population?
“The Galápagos penguin… has
experienced
a
population
decline of over 50 percent since
the 1970s, and faces a 30percent chance of extinction in
this century.”
-Tony LaCasse
Spokesman for the
England Aquarium.
New
Scientists estimate that there are between 1,400 and 1,500 penguins in the wild.
What is being done to revitalize the species numbers?
There is currently one effort put into place to specifically conserve the
population of Galápagos Penguin. This project is funded by a private
foundation. The Galápagos Conservancy has released a project to increase the
population through artificial nests. This project was funded in 2013, and will be
implemented through March of 2014. The scientists involved have proved high
quality nesting sites on three major islands (Isabela, Fernandina, and
Bartolomé. The long term goal of this project is to strengthen the population.
How successful are the current efforts?
The current work of the Galápagos Conservancy
appears to be helping the penguins reproduce
successfully. The scientists monitor the sites two to
three times a year, and, several eggs and chicks
have been observed in the constructed nests.
Conclusions involving this study will not be drawn
until March 2014.
What can be done to further help the species?
http://flydiamond.com/why-the-galapagos-islands-is-a-unique-travel-experience/
http://www.arcticphoto.co.uk/supergal/ft/ft01/ft0171-00.htm
To help support the conservation efforts, individuals can financially assist with
research. Individuals can invest and become a partner in conservation, or
individuals can make a symbolic penguin adoption online. This again
financially supports research and conservation efforts. Finally, individuals can
spread the word. By bringing awareness to the current situation, they can help
get more people involved in the conservation efforts.
How is this species important to the world?
The Galápagos Penguin plays a role in the
ecosystem. It is a predator to many marine
animals, and it also acts as prey for other
predators. These penguins consume foods
from the ocean, and make these nutrients
available to species which are strictly
terrestrial.
These penguins also play an economic role.
They promote ecotourism, encouraging
tourists and birdwatchers to travel to the
Galápagos Islands.
http://mlconservation.com/Species.html
Save
me!
Sources:
References:
Ecosystem Restoration: Increasing the Galapagos Penguin Population. (n.d.). Retrieved January
30, 2014, from Galapagos Conservancy website: http://www.galapagos.org/
conservation/increasing-the-galapagos-penguin-population/
Galapagos Penguin. (n.d.). Retrieved January 30, 2014, from World Wildlife Fund website:
https://worldwildlife.org/species/galapagos-penguin
Galapagos Penguin [PDF]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://eebweb.arizona.edu/courses/galapagos/
expert%20topics%202007%20(bonine)/Lauerman_galapagospenguin.pdf
Moskowitz, C. (2010, September 9). Earth's penguins are skating on thin ice. Retrieved January
29, 2014, from NBC News website: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/39150028/ns/
technology_and_science-science/#.UusrIPldXkF