The city of Mumbai recently saw an exciting development in its Byculla Zoo, as it announced the addition of two new Humboldt penguin chicks. This significant moment is a reminder of not only the value of these creatures but also the importance of understanding their characteristics, habitats and threats they face.
About Humboldt Penguins
Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus Humboldti) are medium-sized species standing at an average height of just over 2 feet. With large bare skin patches around their eyes, these penguins possess a unique adaptation to help them stay cool. This trait becomes particularly important considering they are one of the most beloved zoo penguins due to their ability to withstand warmer climates. Not bound by rigid seasons, their breeding period in the wild swings between March-April or September-October, heavily dictated by the location of their colony.
Habitat
Named after their habitat situated close to the Humboldt Current, Humboldt penguins are indigenous to the Pacific coasts of Chile and Peru. The Humboldt Current, characterised by its icy waters, has a significant role in determining the living conditions of these penguins.
The geographical positioning of these penguins and the climatic features of their habitat offer an intriguing understanding of why they rank amongst the popular zoo species. Their adaptability to warmer climates broadens their potential for being housed in zoos, raising awareness about their existence and plight.
Threats To Survival
Although charming in their appeal, the Humboldt penguins face various survival threats, both natural and man-made. They often get entangled in fishing nets, leading to physical harm and even death. Moreover, the loss of key breeding sites disrupts their nesting, mating and breeding processes, thereby posing challenges to their population growth.
Another significant threat comes from harvesting guano, penguin excrement used as fertilizer. This activity not only disturbs their environmental balance but also directly degrades their natural habitats. Furthermore, they face hunting threats from non-native species such as dogs and cats that have been introduced into their ecosystem, thereby disturbing the balance of their environment.
Protection Status
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Humboldt penguins fall under the ‘vulnerable’ category. This means they are not immediately threatened with extinction, but if current trends continue, they may soon move towards becoming an endangered species.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) amplifies the need for protecting these birds by listing them under Appendix I. This categorization ensures the strict regulation of trade and commercial exploitation, thereby aiming to safeguard these unique creatures from human-induced threats.
In the backdrop of the human fascination with these endearing creatures, there lies a pressing need for increased awareness and more active preservation efforts. The addition of new members to the Humboldt penguin family at Byculla Zoo is a small but significant step towards this larger conservation goal.
