Occurrence of the Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti, Meyen, 1834) in El Ferrol Bay, Chimbote, Peru, and strategies for its conservation

The Humboldt penguin is an emblematic species of the Humboldt ecosystem of Peru and Chile, declared as vulnerable in The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2020. By 2023, its population was estimated around 9,900 pairs, which means a decrease of 93% of its population in 70 years. In response to a warning of its occurrence on the Guaneras Islands located in El Ferrol Bay (Chimbote, Peru), the objective of this study was to verify its presence in situ. Between October and November 2024, four expeditions were carried out on the leeward side of the Islote Pena Blanca (White Rock Islet), Isla Blanca (White Island), Isla Ferrol del Norte (Northern Ferrol Island), Isla Ferrol del Centro (Central Ferrol Island), and Isla Ferrol del Sur (Southern Ferrol Island). The presence of 149 individuals, 5 of them juveniles, and one chick accompanied by its parent, was verified on Northern Ferrol Island, Central Ferrol Island, and Southern Ferrol Island. It is estimated that the presence of these organisms is explained by the improvement of oceanographic conditions in this bay. Considering the high vulnerability of the species, the local community must articulate efforts to guarantee the establishment of its population in this particular habitat.