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Research for survival
Landau, June 4, 2021
How many Humboldt penguins are left in Chile? Do they breed successfully? Where do they find enough food? These are open questions that are crucial for the survival of this penguin species.
In 2019, the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) of IUCN appealed to researchers to investigate such essential questions and fill these knowledge gaps. With prestigious Chilean and New Zealand researchers, SPHENISCO is planning an overall 6-year research project. Dr. Alejandro Simeone (University Andrés Bello, Santiago) will conduct censuses on the eight most important breeding islands in Chile, Dr. Guillermo Luna (University Católica del Norte, Coquimbo) will investigate the breeding success on the islands Chañaral and Choros and the research couple Dr. Ellenberg and Dr. Mattern (NZ Penguin Initiative, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand) will collect data on foraging. The research project is funded by the Species Conservation Foundation Karlsruhe Zoo, Dresden Zoo and the Friends of Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg.
Humboldt penguins are threatened in their population by factors such as overfishing, climate change, artisanal fisheries bycatch, direct hunting, guano mining, egg collection, and marine pollution. These activities reduce the availability of breeding habitats, reduce breeding success, or directly cause penguin mortality. As a result, the Humboldt penguin has been listed as endangered by the IUCN for years.
During the period from 1999 to 2008, the Humboldt penguin population was relatively stable, with a population of around 33,000 birds in Chile. However, a recent study from 2017 suggests that the population may have declined to as low as 10,000 birds. Analysis and evaluation of this (possible) trend is difficult, as data from recent decades are subject to significant methodological flaws. Neither the selection of breeding sites, nor the type of counts (during molting versus during breeding) have been sufficiently stringent. It is therefore unclear what the possible decline in the last decade can be ascribed to. Does it reflect population fluctuations or is it due to methodological shortcomings?
There is little data available on the hunting grounds, diet and diving behavior of Humboldt penguins. However, a better understanding of marine ecology would be essential for the survival of this penguin species, which spends up to 80% of its life in the sea.
In the project "Deciphering population size and foraging behavior of Humboldt penguins in Chile", three coordinated studies will collect reliable data on population size, breeding success and foraging behavior. The research is funded by the Species Conservation Foundation Karlsruhe Zoo, Dresden Zoo and the Friends of Hagenbeck Zoo.
Census (Dr. Alejandro Simeone, University Andrés Bello, Santiago).
Every two years, the breeding population is counted in the eight most important colonies (corresponding to 80-90% of the Chilean population) in November and December. Other nesting seabirds such as Peruvian boobies, Peruvian pelicans, Neotropical and Guanay cormorants, seagulls will also be recorded.
Monitoring of breeding success (Dr. Guillermo Luna, University Católica del Norte, Coquimbo).
Monitoring takes place on the two main breeding islands - Chañaral and Choros. Both islands are part of the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve. Data such as timing of mating, egg laying, hatching and fledging, and breeding success are collected. The data can be used to detect breeding failures due to natural events or human intervention.
During the breeding season (early November to mid-January), the two islands of Choros are visited every two weeks. At each visit, the number of eggs, chicks, dead chicks, and fledged birds are recorded. These data are used to calculate average clutch size, hatch rate and average breeding success.
Foraging (Dr. Thomas Mattern, Dr. Ursula Ellenberg, NZ Penguin Initiative, University of Otago, Dunedin).
New Zealand scientists have advanced research using GPS loggers as well as underwater cameras, making it possible to study seabird behavior at sea. The behavior of Humboldt penguins is studied during chick rearing and the period before molting. Both periods are of crucial importance, as the survival of the adults and the preservation of the species (breeding success) ultimately depend on the ability to find sufficient and appropriate food.
The surveys are conducted in December and January on Chañaral Island and Choros Island (Humboldt Penguin National Reserve). Both penguins that are raising chicks and birds that have completed rearing and are preparing for the annual molt are studied.
The measurements will provide precise and detailed information on the birds' position and diving behavior as well as ambient water temperature. In combination with satellite-based oceanographic data, the behavior of the penguins can then be analyzed in an ecological context. In addition, the animals will be equipped with novel camera loggers. The researchers will look over the penguins' shoulders, so to speak, while they forage in order to document findings about hunting strategies, hunting success and prey species recorded (see Yellow-eyed Penguin Research https://youtu.be/U6i1CFaXvG8). The GPS and diving data will help identify important marine zones where the penguins find food, providing information for marine planning.
Actually, the project was supposed to start already in November 2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic did not allow travel in and to Chile at that time. Now it is planned to start the research work in November.
Gabriele & Werner Knauf interviewed the researchers Dr. Simeone, Dr. Ellenberg and Dr. Mattern about their plans and documented the interviews in the film "Research for Survival" (15 min.).
W.K.
translated by Angelika Veelken
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Breeding Success on the Ballestas Islands?
Landau May 28, 2021.
For many years, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has classified the Humboldt Penguin as vulnerable, i.e., endangered. Nevertheless, an astonishing number of questions remain unanswered that are relevant to the survival of this penguin species (see article, Research for Survival). In 2019, the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) of the IUCN clearly pointed out this deficiency and appealed to researchers to clarify essential questions.
Breeding Colony on the Ballestas Islands
Humboldt Penguins live on the Chilean and Peruvian coasts. The second largest breeding colony in Peru is on the Ballestas Islands in the Pisco-Paracas Region. The islands are part of the Reserva Nacional Sistema de Islas, Islotes y Puntas Guaneras (1). Before the COVID-19 pandemic, around half a million people visited the area each year. This makes the bird islands the second most important tourist attraction in Peru after Machu Picchu. It is completely unclear whether and, if so, what effects mass tourism has on the state of the penguin colonies. Therefore, in July 2021, on behalf of SPHENISCO, ACOREMA will begin an initial one-year study on breeding success and possible man-made disturbances. The project is funded by the Frankfurt Zoo and the Marlow Bird Park.
Census und Monitoring
Humboldt Penguins are very shy, and the Ballestas Islands are difficult to access. Therefore, the examinations are carried out in a non-invasive way with the help of a drone. The data collection takes place two times a month. The most important breeding colony is located in "Ballestas Centro". It is to be examined from the North Island, 300 meters away. The drone flies at a height of at least 10 meters in order not to change the behaviour of the animals. With high-resolution images or videos, the characteristics of the colony, the nesting sites, the timing of breeding, the development of the chicks, the number of young animals or the fully-fledged young birds are recorded. The criterion for the success is the growth of independent young birds (fledge).
In the evaluation, the successful broods are compared with the failed ones. Thus, it is checked whether the choice of nest locations and the type of nests influence the breeding success. In addition, further factors are to be identified which may influence the loss of sites and broods. Since the investigations are carried out during brood and during moulting, significant changes in the population in these periods may be described. With the help of data on the pressure from tourist activities, possible effects will also be analyzed.
The short film "Bruterfolg auf den Ballestas Inseln?" (2.5 min.), produced by Gabriele & Werner Knauf, also informs about the planned research: https://vimeo.com/556238563
Environmental Education and Public Relations
ACOREMA will use the research to inform about the project, the importance of protecting the penguin colony, its contribution to the local economy and compliance with certain rules when visiting its habitat. For this purpose, it plans to conduct workshops with employees of authorities, rangers of the National Reserve System, representatives of tourism companies and universities, and to develop three infographics. The graphics will be published at intervals on the ACOREMA website and on social networks. Tourism companies and other local actors will ensure its dissemination. One of the infographics is to be posted at the most important places in the Pisco Region.
The penguin colony on the Ballestas Islands is most affected by human activities. Research will improve information on the colonies. This will create a baseline and set new impulses for protective measures in favor of this penguin species and its habitats.
W.K.
translated by Erich Greiner
(1) Reserva Nacional Sistema de Islas, Islotes y Puntas Guaneras - RNSIIPG, National Reserve System of Islands, Islets and Puntas Guaneras.
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Waiting for a Decision
Landau 25 April 2021.
You don't know if you should laugh or cry. The April 16th, 2021 decision of the Antofagasta Environmental Court on the “Dominga” mining and port project is reminiscent of absurd theater. In 2017, the Regional Government of Coquimbo and the Committee of Ministers (1) rejected the "Dominga" project. Andes Iron appealed against the decisions to the Antofagasta Environmental Court. The company Andes Iron filed a complaint against the decisions with the Antofagasta Environmental Court and was proven right. Environmentalists successfully challenged this ruling before the Supreme Court in Santiago at the end of February, beginning of March 2019. In its explanatory statement at the time, the Supreme Court stated that most of the arguments put forward by the critics of the project were valid. The Court then referred the case back to the Environmental Court in Antofagasta, asking it to consider the actual conditions of the project and the technical counterarguments. In March 2020, the dispute was again heard and decided in Antofagasta. However, the court has only now published its verdict on April 16, 2021. A whole year later!!?? Once again, the court ruled in favor of Andes Iron and ordered a new vote in the Coquimbo Regional Environmental Assessment Commission. In a statement, Alianza Humboldt (2), of which SPHENISCO is a member, criticized the decision and shed light on the prospects of the lawsuit.
Declaration of 21 April 2021
La Serena 21 April 2021. The ALIANZA HUMBOLDT Coquimbo-Atacama will continue to defend the Humboldt Archipelago against threats from megaprojects.
The Alianza Humboldt of the Atacama and Coquimbo region urges all citizens of civil society, individuals, organizations and institutions to join it in defending the Humboldt Archipelago and its surroundings against the dangers posed by such projects.
On Friday, April 16th, the Antofagasta Environmental Court upheld the suit brought by Andes Iron on the "Dominga" mining and port project. In its decision, the court ordered a new vote in the Coquimbo Environmental Assessment Commission. At the same time, the Court acknowledged that the envisaged project had serious problems and that the explanations were insufficient. However, according to the court, these shortcomings could be resolved by the Committee of Ministers. With this proposal, the Court of First Instance exceeded its authority. It is not empowered to propose to the Committee of Ministers that it fix the problems of the "Dominga" project. Its mission is to enforce compliance with environmental laws and to ensure that projects are properly evaluated, and that evaluations are not influenced by private interests.
The judgment of April 16th is once again a reminder that legal and institutional measures in Chile are inadequate, especially when it is a case involving President Piñera himself. In 2010, he rejected the Barrancones Project (construction of coal-fired power plants) and promised to protect the Humboldt Archipelago, a nature reserve of global importance. Soon after, it was announced that up until December of the same year, he was the majority shareholder of Andes Iron, the same company pushing the Dominga project. The owner of the company was Carlos Délano, a childhood friend of Sebastian Piñera. Mr. Délano was sentenced to 99 hours of ethics lessons for illegal political party financing. It is clear to us that in this context of the current deep crisis, in the context of corruption and manipulation, we cannot enforce the law against interests that advocate the exploitation of natural resources. It is therefore necessary to mobilize the environmental movement and to consolidate its networks in order to:
- make visible the real extent of the social and environmental damage that would be associated with the realization of the 'Dominga' megaproject.
- understand the shortcomings and major errors that would have been made in the environmental assessment process, and
- ensure the protection of the environment in the Constitution.
It is worrying that the Antofagasta Environmental Court is grossly neglecting its central task, namely the protection of the natural heritage, and, with its judgment in this case, placing particular interests above the collective interest. The Court thus damages institutions and even the legal system in Chile in this matter by depriving the SEIA (Sistema de Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental), i.e., the system of environmental impact assessment, of its task. All this is happening in the context of the climate crisis and the health crisis triggered by the pandemic, and without taking into account the myriad calls from science and various international organizations to give priority to protecting and caring for the remaining ecosystems over an economy geared toward the exploitation of natural resources, thus causing so much damage to communities, the area and the local economy in general. This is especially true in the case of this globally UNIQUE ECOSYSTEM.
About the Verdict
The ruling does not mean that the project has been approved. Environmental courts have neither the power nor the competence to approve or reject a project. This is exclusively the task of other institutions responsible for the environment, such as the regional commission in charge of the environmental impact assessment.
The court accepted the complaint of Andes Iron on the megaproject "Dominga" and has now ordered that the procedure be referred back to the regional commission for re-voting. In this way, the Court opens up the possibility of irreversibly damaging the environment of this region and of creating a new 'victim zone'.
In complete contradiction to this decision, the Court of First Instance acknowledges in its judgment that the project is flawed, that it has informational deficits and concludes that the Environment Agency should have been pushing harder for improvements to the project in order to avoid rejection. For example, the Court acknowledges that the compensation measure submitted by the company with regard to the Humboldt Penguin is not appropriate and sees weaknesses in the environmental assessment procedure with regard to the impairment of the Humboldt Penguin on the island of Totoralillo Norte. However, despite the apparent lack of information and the problematic compensatory measures, it has been ordered to vote again on the project.
Impact on the Local Economy
In the area of the Humboldt Archipelago are the most productive Áreas de Manejo y Explotación de Recursos Bentónicos (AMERB) of the entire northern central zone (protected zones sustainably harvested by local fishermen) located. When this economic activity began in the 1990s, about 90 thousand units were harvested; today, with sustainable management of the areas, it is 800 thousand units.
If the megaproject were to be implemented, it would have serious consequences for the local economy, for sustainable economic activities such as local fishing, the production of olives and olive oil, family gardens, livestock farming and tourism. It should be noted that tourism has developed the strongest dynamism in recent decades and has become an important engine for the economy.
It is a very bad sign that a project aimed at exploiting natural resources is being pursued while Chile is in the process of creating a new constitution; a constitution aimed at ensuring the transition to a society with an economy that centers on the well-being of the people, the protection of the environment and not on commercial benefits. Apparently, in the interests of large corporations, those responsible want to secure everything quickly before the country's constitution and vision change.
As Alianza, we reaffirm our commitment to take all necessary measures and to use all institutional channels, nationally and internationally, to achieve the protection of the Humboldt Archipelago without mega-projects, thereby protecting this world heritage in the long term.
For all these reasons, and in view of the fact that pressure and manipulation in favor of the Dominga project are extremely strong, we reiterate the call to join the Alianza Humboldt in order to create a strong national movement to defend this national protected area.
The Alianza Humboldt was wide awake, and reacted immediately in the difficult conditions of the pandemic going on the offensive in the days after the verdict. The "Declaration of April 21" was published at press conferences in La Serena and Coquimbo, as well as on social media. A motorcade in Punta de Choros and Choros was organized. As spokeswoman for Alianza Humboldt and as an independent candidate for the Constituent Assembly, Nancy Duman conducted several daily discussions and interviews with opinion leaders on the internet. Members such as Oceana, FIMA (an environmental attorneys’ group in Chile) and the fishermen of La Higuera were also critical on social media and posted their own statements. The Medical Association of La Serena and the National Board of the Changos (Indigenous Group) also went public. Several internet newspapers took critical positions. The local newspaper, El Dia – as expected– one-sidedly presented only the view of the company Andes Iron and the project "Dominga".
On May 3rd, the Alianza Humboldt is planning a protest rally from Chañaral to La Serena via the (coastal) villages of Punta de Choros, Los Choros, and Caleta Hornos. On May 4th, the Alliance, represented by Oceana, will apply to the Corte Suprema (Supreme Court) in Santiago for the court's decision to be overturned.
W.K.
translated by Erich Greiner
Notes.
(1) Minister for Mining, Health, Agriculture, Environment and Economy
(2) The Alianza Humboldt members comprise 20 "major" organizations, among others: Oceana, Greenpeace, Ocean Blue, Sea Shepherd, Fundación Terram, FIMA, Defensa Ambiental IV Region, Modema, Turismo Caleta Hornos and Sphenisco. In addition to these organizations, there are 67 regional and other 8 supra-regional civil society organizations.
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Species Protection Euro for Humboldt Penguins
Landau 27 January 2021.
On 1 March, the Frankfurt Zoo will also introduce the Nature Conservation Euro. Like a growing number of German zoos (note 1), the Frankfurt Zoo is promoting the fact that visitors can contribute to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats with a small donation. Under the motto "Make your visit to the zoo more valuable", many small donations are to be bundled into a greater financial support for the protection of species. "You can become part of a big whole with little effort," Christof Schenck, Managing Director of the Frankfurt Zoological Society (ZGF), said, praising the initiative. (see :"Behind the Zoo It Goes On" - PDF)
The Frankfurt Zoo concentrates its funding on four global and two regional projects: regionally on "Honey Bees and Insects", of the Bee Embassy, and "Natural Forest Development in the Wispertaunus Area”, of the Zoological Society Frankfurt (ZGF); globally on the"Manu National Park in Peru", the "Protection of the Serengeti in Tanzania", and the "Bukit-Tigapuluh Protection Program on the Island of Sumatra, Indonesia", 3 other projects of the ZGF; and the fourth being SPHENISCO. SPHENISCO had to gulp at first, as the association felt the recognition of its work, and is highly honored, and remembers what a charming bird the Humboldt penguin is.
The Nature or Species Conservation Euro represents a qualitative leap in the effort to protect the Humboldt penguins and their habitat. Since the founding of SPHENISCO, many German and European zoos have supported the work of the association not only through joint actions and campaigns, but also through their membership as well as large and small donations. The Species Protection Euro makes it possible to acquire a significantly higher donation volume and to secure projects in the medium term. The Zoo Karlsruhe Zoo, the Marlow Bird Park, the Landau Zoo, the Dresden Zoo and now the Frankfurt Zoo have decided to promote the work of SPHENISCO additionally via the Species Conservation Euro (Note 2). These aids are supplemented by donations from zoo sponsors such as "The Friends of the Hagenbeck Zoo" and the "Circle of Friends, Zoo Landau".
Sphenisco’s Board therefore began discussions and negotiations last year, regarding new projects. With the researchers Alejandro Simeone, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile; Guillermo Luna-Jorquera, Universidad Catolica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile; and Thomas Mattern, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, multi-year research can be carried out to
- determine the breeding population on the main breeding islands of Chile with systematic counts,
- determine the breeding success in 2 large breeding colonies, and
- investigate the foraging behavior in the vicinity of the main breeding areas. It is planned to start research at the end of the year (Southern Summer).
Nancy Duman (SPHENISCO, Chile) is preparing a one-year project for environmental education with and in the schools of the coastal villages (Commune of La Higuera, near the main breeding areas). The concept was developed last year, but could not be realized due to the pandemic. Currently, the concept has been expanded to include digital media and possibilities of an IT-supported way of working in order to make the project more crisis-resistant.
The next World Penguin Conference will take place at the end of August, 2022 (time window 22-31 August) in Viña del Mar,Chile. Dr. Alejandro Simeone (above) lives and works in the region and is significantly involved in the organization of the conference. We are in discussion with him about how SPHENISCO can participate and support the event.
All projects in Chile contribute in very different ways to the protection of the Humboldt Archipelago (main breeding areas). At the request of the association, our Peruvian partner, Acorema, is currently examining whether it is possible to effectively expand the protection efforts in Peru.
Note.
(1) The zoos in Leipzig, Dresden, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Augsburg, Marlow, Heidelberg, Rostock and Landau have already established the species protection euro.
(2) Zoological gardens supporting the protection of the Humboldt penguin with the help of the Species Protection Euro:
- Species Conservation Foundation Zoo Karlsruhe http://artenschutzstiftung.de
- Marlow Http://vogelpark-marlow.de/pages/home.php Bird Park
- Dresden Zoo https://www.zoo-dresden.de/de/Tiere/Artenschutz/Artenschutzeuro_1163.html
- Landau Zoo https://zoo-landau.de/uber-uns/artenschutz
- Frankfurt Zoo https://www.zoo-frankfurt.de/naturschutz/naturschutz-euro
- K.
translated by Erich Greiner
How to strike the right TONE
- Penguin research at the Landau Zoo
Landau 20 October 2020.
At the end of June the search for a warning signal for Humboldt penguins began at the Landau Zoo. On behalf of SPHENISCO, various signals were to be tested to see if they were suitable for deterring Humboldt penguins in their natural habitat from swimming into fishermen's set nets and dying as unwanted "bycatch." The research project was conducted by marine scientist Prof. Culik, Kiel, in cooperation with the University of Landau (Prof. Dr. Entling). The project was generously supported by Vogelpark Marlow, which - like the Landau Zoo - is a member of SPHENISCO.
The students Sarah Bergemann, Jannis Bitzigeio and Ayla Seithe triggered different sound signals under water, observed and then recorded how the diving birds reacted to the different signals. In addition, the reactions were recorded by four cameras at the enclosure. Thanks to a dpa report, the research was widely reported regionally and nationally.
On 12 October, Prof. Culik presented an interim report on the progress and results of the study. The three students, staff and keepers of the Landau Zoo and the board of SPHENISCO discussed the results and tried to make a first evaluation. Out of the seven different signals, only one signal, the call of a pilot whale, produced significant results. Penguins are less likely to dive when they hear this call. However, based on the data available so far, it is premature to say whether this can be seen as fear or flight behavior. The penguins have grown up in captivity. Therefore, it is not yet possible to interpret whether this is genetically determined behavior. Zoo penguins are not aware of dangers like a whale. One would therefore have to check the pilot whale signal in the wild and confirm it there.
In further talks the results should be discussed further and the question should be clarified which further steps are possible and reasonable.
W.K.
translated by Angelika Veelken
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