Status and conservation of Magellanic Penguins Spheniscus magellanicus in Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract

There are 36 breeding colonies of Magellanic Penguins Spheniscus magellanicus along the coast of mainland Argentina. During the breeding period we counted the number of active nests and estimated the breeding population was approximately 652,000 pairs. Development of coastal areas is diminishing the quality of Magellanic Penguin breeding habitat and reducing penguin reproductive success. Adult mortality rates are increasing because of human activities. Maritime petroleum traffic and petroleum operations are known to cause mortality. Fishing activities cause incidental mortality and may negatively affect penguin foraging and reproductive success. In some areas, offal is increasing gull populations with a corresponding increase in predation on penguin eggs and chicks, thereby lowering reproductive success. These sources of mortality are relatively recent and are human caused. We found three areas where human activities are of particular concern: Península Valdés, Golfo San Jorge and Estrecho de Magallanes. Human impacts on Magellanic Penguin populations could be reduced, benefiting the tourist industry where yearly tens of thousands of people come to the provinces of Chubut and Santa Cruz to visit penguin colonies.