Landau, 1st of June
C H I L E
+++Population of Humboldt penguins+++
The last three breeding seasons have been cancelled due to a lack of food. El Niño and bird flu have reduced the Humboldt penguin population (see article ‘El Niño and ...’ from 25th of February 2025). It is only unclear how great the losses are. On 26th of May, researchers led by Dr Alexandro Simeone began to count breeding pairs again on the island of Pan de Azucar (1). Further counts are planned for June on the islands of Grande de Atacama, Ramada and Chañaral. In addition, GPS loggers and video cameras will again be used to investigate foraging behaviour on the islands of Choros and Chachagua, where breeding pairs will also be counted. Further counts are to be carried out on other important Chilean gross islands in October and November. The six-year research project is being funded by the Species Conservation Foundation of Karlsruhe Zoo, Dresden Zoo and the Hagenbeck Zoo Friends' Association.
Dr Alexandro Simeone has agreed with Dr Carlos Zavalaga, Peru, to conduct simultaneous counts in the most important colonies in Peru in order to record (for the first time) the breeding population in the entire distribution area during the same period.
+++Infopoint - Yerba buena+++
The Yerba Buena Group is planning to set up an information point. The concept for this was developed with the Fundación Sphenisco Chile. The project is sponsored by Frankfurt Zoo (see article ‘Info point Yerba Buena’ News 12th of May 2025).
+++Visit to the municipality of La Higuera+++
At a meeting with the new mayor of La Higuera, Uberlinda Aquea, the Sphenisco Chile Foundation presented its projects in the areas of environmental education, such as the literary competition ‘The Humboldt Archipelago in 110 Words’, tourism, science and support for social organisations in the municipality. The mayor welcomed the numerous initiatives and saw them as support for the municipality's efforts towards sustainable development. Uberlinda Aquea invited Sphenisco Chile to give a presentation on the Humboldt Archipelago and the planned conservation zone to the municipal council.
+++Third season of the video podcast+++
At the beginning of May, Fundación Sphenisco Chile launched the third season of the Sintonia Humboldt video podcast. The new episodes will focus on citizen participation in the design of the Humboldt Archipelago. Since 6th of April 2024, Sintonia Humboldt has regularly given communities, researchers and organisations from the Atacama and Coquimbo regions a voice on the topics of ‘environment’ and ‘sustainability’. The format invites dialogue about the natural, cultural and social wealth of the Humboldt Archipelago, its ecosystemic importance and current threats.
The new series will once again be hosted by Carla Parra and Rodrigo Muñoz. The two presenters aim to inform and raise awareness about sustainable developments in communities through honest and in-depth conversations with guests from the fields of fisheries, science, local politics, the environmental movement and other multipliers. The project is sponsored by Bergzoo Halle and Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen.
Three episodes were offered in May:
- On 5th of May, Claudia Accini, Head of the Natural Resources and Biodiversity Department of the Regional Minister's Office for the Environment, Coquimbo Region, was a guest. The moderators discussed the ACMU (2) and the planned management plan with her.
- On 19th of May, the moderators spoke with Dr María de los Ángeles Gallardo, marine biologist and expert on the upwelling process.
- On 26th of May, Carla and Rodrigo interviewed Josué Ramos, a diver and mussel collector from the municipality of La Higuera. He presented his work and described how he and his guild manage marine resources responsibly and sustainably.
+++Coquimbo rescue and rehabilitation centre+++
Since August 2022, Sphenisco has been in talks about a rescue and rehabilitation centre for mammals, reptiles and marine animals in Coquimbo. For some time now, the centre on the grounds of the University Católica del Norte (UCN) (3) has no longer been able to care for the animals as it was no longer able to finance their care. In addition, the enclosure had become very run-down. After years of negotiations, an agreement for the refurbishment and operation has now been reached and approved by the Sphenisco board. The partners in the project are the University Católica del Norte (UCN) (3), Sernapesca (state fisheries authority) and the Fundación Humboldt. Refurbishment and operation are being funded by Bergzoo Halle, Dresden Zoo and Frankfurt Zoo. The concept and status of the project will be reported on these pages in June 2025.
+++Society ‘Equitable Development of the Humboldt Archipelago ’+++
At the end of November 2024, prominent representatives of civil society groups from the communities of La Higuera and Freirina founded the corporation ‘Just Development of the Humboldt Archipelago’ (4). The central objective of the Corporación is to promote citizen participation that is committed to the sustainable, fair and responsible development of the Humboldt Archipelago. The Sphenisco Chile Foundation is not a member of the Corporación, but welcomes the initiative as a civic commitment to sustainability and nature conservation. The species conservation foundation Zoo Karlsruhe and the Association of Friends of Hagenbeck Zoo support the initiative. The article ‘Gesellschaft Gerechte Entwicklung’ on these pages provides information on the details and status of the project.
+++Photo exhibition Humboldt Archipelago+++
Civil society groups such as the ‘Just Development’ organisation (4) and the
Fundación Sphenisco Chile are currently focussing their work on shaping the management plan for the AMCU (2) Humboldt Archipelago. The Sphenisco Chile Foundation is addressing the public with various campaigns such as the ‘Symbol Bird of the Humboldt Current’ initiative, the ‘Sintonia Humboldt’ video podcast and, in the near future, a large photo exhibition.
The aim of the travelling exhibition is to sensitise citizens, even in the most remote places, to provide them with scientifically sound information about the Humboldt Archipelago and its
importance of the Humboldt Archipelago in order to familiarise citizens with the ACMU (2). The photo exhibition is sponsored by Rostock Zoo. Details and the status of the project will also be reported on these pages in June 2025.
P E R U
+++Environmental education+++
Acorema has presented a report on environmental education activities in 2023 and 2024. An article and translation with many photos of the numerous measures is currently being prepared and will be published on these pages in June.
+++Research on breeding success+++
Since June 2024, Acorema has been studying breeding success on the Ballestas Islands near Paracas, southern Peru. The work is entitled ‘Comparison of populations and reproductive success of the Humboldt penguin colony on the Ballestas Islands before and after avian flu and El Niño’. The research will be extended by two months until 31st of August, as it was not possible to carry out all the surveys by the agreed date at the end of May. The study is sponsored by Frankfurt Zoo and Marlow Bird Park.
E U R O P E
+++Review of action days+++
A series of activities were organised around World Penguin Day on 25th of April.
Bochum Zoo
In 2025, Bochum Zoo once again celebrated Penguin Day on the last Sunday in April. In the weeks leading up to the event, a new penguin trail had already been created across from the entrance to the Humboldt Penguins at the other end of the zoo. The blue footprints end directly in front of the glass panes of the penguin enclosure.
The conditions on the last day of the Easter holidays in NRW were good: bright sunshine and almost summer-like temperatures. Visitors were able to learn about the popular little tailcoats at several stands. The information stand was all about the Humboldt Penguin and Sphenisco. Children and adults were able to learn a lot about these extraordinary birds by playing educational games. The penguin course also highlighted dangers such as habitat loss, oil spills, overfishing, plastic waste and climate change in a child-friendly way.
Krefeld Zoo was a guest at Bochum Zoo, and its information stand was also all about penguins. The youngest visitors were able to paint and do handicrafts at three stands. Penguins, fish and other sea creatures were painted. At the second stand, penguin crowns were made, and at the third, artistic penguin lanterns were created from empty jam jars. The day's takings of almost € 200 were donated to Sphenisco in aid of the Humboldt Penguins. (Report by Meike Kagel)
World Penguin Day Landau
Well-placed in the newspaper ‘Die Rheinpfalz’, Landau Zoo invited visitors to a penguin action day on Sunday 27th of April. Under the motto ‘Penguin protection you can touch’, the zoo, together with the Zoo School and Sphenisco, organised a small programme with information, a ‘penguin quiz’, painting and information activities for children. The glorious spring day brought the zoo many visitors and the penguins and their helpers a lot of attention. The interest of visitors young and old was good, and the message that ‘even small changes in everyday life and shopping behaviour can help’ was well received. To get into conversation with the visitors
A small badge combined with a quiz and the online wheel of fortune combined with the sale of ‘Penguin Tinnef’ proved to be very successful in engaging with visitors.
Neuwied Zoo
Neuwied Zoo once again drew attention to the Humboldt Penguin on Penguin Action Day. Three stations were on offer: Penguins could be made out of clay paper and old newspaper at a craft station. A matching game and a station with stereo magnifying glasses provided information. In the matching game, the question was ‘What does the Humboldt penguin like and what doesn't it like? (ice vs. rocky outcrops, etc.), and the stereo magnifying glasses were used to take a closer look at penguin feathers and compare them with the feathers of birds capable of flight. (Report by Eva Fritsch)
+++Outlook for action days+++
Osnabrück Zoo
Osnabrück Zoo is planning a species conservation day for June 15. Meike Kagel will be taking part in the event with numerous information stands and presentations and representing Sphenisco.
Frankfurt Zoo
Frankfurt Zoo has invited visitors to its Species Conservation Day on July 13, 2025. Sphenisco will be represented with an information stand run by Klaus Blumer, Elke Gerriets and Nicole Kambeck.
Hellabrunn Zoo
Hellabrunn Zoo is holding a day of action on Friday, July 18. The day is all about species conservation. There will be a varied program with various information stands and a quiz rally with great prizes to be won. Sphenisco will be represented by Francisco Ruiz.
Tierpark Hagenbeck
"What goes in the front and what comes out the back? Who eats meat and who has a preference for plants? What if someone likes both?" Once again this year, there will be many exciting stories about animal eating habits at the campaign weekend, August 9 and 10, organized by the Friends of Hagenbeck Zoo. Sphenisco is supporting the campaign with materials and is checking whether association members from Hamburg can and want to get involved.
Karlsruhe Zoo
As in previous years, Karlsruhe Zoo is once again organizing a species conservation day on September 14. Nicole Bertram, Katja Resch and Dr. Christina Schubert are organizing an information stand for Sphenisco.
+++Artist Jacklyn Gratzfeld+++
Jacklyn Gratzfeld exhibited five paintings at the Lions Art Days and combined her presentation with a campaign in aid of the Humboldt Penguin. The Lions campaign has now been completed. The artist sold one painting and, as promised, donated 20 percent of the proceeds.
In September, Jacklyn Gratzfeld will be exhibiting paintings at the Südliche Weinstraße district administration. It will be her first solo exhibition in the region for a long time. Once again, she plans to donate part of the proceeds to various animal and nature conservation organizations, including Sphenisco.
+++New address of Sphenisco+++
The new address is: Sphenisco e.V. c/o Zoo Landau, Hindenburgstrasse 12, 76829 Landau.
Mail to the old address will continue to reach the association for some time.
+++ “Platz schaffen mit Herz!“ campaign +++
The new voting for “Make room with a heart” started on 13th of March. Many penguin friends have supported the campaign in recent years and thanks to the numerous participants, Sphenisco has already received financial support from the Otto GmbH & Co KG initiative twice. Now the time has come again and Sphenisco is inviting everyone to clear out their closets and once again help to secure a place among the top 100 organizations. There is still plenty of room for improvement. Sphenisco is currently only in 246th place with 9 votes.
How does it work?
You can donate anything that has room in your wardrobe: Old clothes, shoes, bags and even tablecloths and bed linen. Anything that can be considered textiles is allowed. A parcel should weigh at least five kilograms. The parcel can be sent to “Platz schaffen mit Herz” with a printed free label. After a few days, you will receive a code with which you can take part in the voting and voilà: you have already supported Sphenisco in the collection campaign.
All information and the free address label can be found here: https://www.platzschaffenmitherz.de/
If you have any questions, please contact Claudia Fawer at
+++50 years of the Friends of Landau Zoo+++
On May 18, the Friends of Landau Zoo celebrated its 50th anniversary with a matinee. The Circle of Friends and Sphenisco have a number of friendly links. For example, the Friends of the Zoo actively supported the founding of Sphenisco and have continuously supported the association's species conservation projects ever since.
+++General Assembly 2025+++
This year's General Assembly will take place on Saturday, 28th of 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Landau Zoo School and as a video conference. So far, 19 people have registered for the face-to-face event and eight for the online event. A joint meal is planned at the Mühlengrund restaurant in Heuchelheim from 6.30 pm. So far, 13 people are planning to attend.
+++Donations, donations, donations+++
In April and May 2025, the following people and institutions donated to Sphenisco's species conservation projects: Frankfurt Zoo on the occasion of the visit of the Freundeskreis Zoo Landau e.V., Kathrin Ballenthin, Berufsverband der Zootierpfleger e.V., Kulturverein Freimersheim e.V, Jacklyn Gratzfeld, Cotswold Wildlife Park, England, Tierparkvereinigung Neumünster e.V., Meike Kagel with donations from the Penguin Day at Bochum Zoo, America Bustamante Arevalo.
W. K.
notes
For better readability, the generic masculine is used in this article. Unless otherwise indicated, the personal designations used in the article refer to all genders.
(1) The Humboldt Penguin breeds twice a year, once in the southern spring (November, December) and once in the southern fall (May, June). In May / June, breeding success is severely impaired due to climatic and meteorological conditions.
(2) Área de Conservación de Múltiples Usos (ACMU) - Marine protected area with multiple uses.
(3) Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN), Coquimbo - Catholic University of the North, Coquimbo.
(4) Corporación de Desarrollo Justo del Archipiélago de Humboldt - Just Development Corporation of the Humboldt Archipelago.
translated by Claudia Fawer
