Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt, or 'Alexander Van Humboldt' to his pals, was a man of many professions - a naturalist, a geographer, a romantic philosopher, a scientist, but most importantly, the man who discovered the humble Humboldt Penguin.
Coolly waddling their way through Twycross Zoo, these smartly feathered chaps and chicks became one of my favourite animals to see at the East Midlands attraction.
Why is the Humboldt Penguin so cool?
Not only do these suave seabirds dress the part, they're also incredibly adept to survive and defend their partners and young. Monogamous in nature, you can find the Humboldt penguin frequenting the rocky shores of Chile and Peru, looking for love over some fresh anchovies or herring.
Here are are few features of the Humboldt that allows them to be on top form whilst cruising around the coastline of South America:
Dressed for the occasion: Their black and white plumage, similar to a formal-wear suit, provides camouflage whilst swimming. To evade marine predators, like seals, sea lions and sharks, their black backs blend with the dark ocean depths when viewed from above, and their white belly merges with the bright surface when seen from below.
Digging it! They dig burrows in thick layers along the coast to lay their eggs and raise their chicks. These burrows offer protection from land predators and harsh weather.
They co-parent: While one parent is out foraging, the other stays vigilant at the nest, guarding against potential threats. This constant watchfulness helps protect the chicks from predators like gulls and skuas.
Social and safe: Humboldt penguins often breed in colonies, which provides safety in numbers. A colony can collectively spot and warn each other of approaching predators.
Streamlined and speedy: In the water, their agility and speed help them escape from predators, reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. They are excellent swimmers due to their aerodynamic shape, which is their primary means of defense in the ocean.
What's on the horizon for the Humboldt...
On a more serious note, Humboldt penguins are facing a high risk of extinction as a result of:
Habitat Loss: The destruction and degradation of their coastal habitats, particularly due to human activities such as mining for guano (fertiliser), urban development, and coastal pollution, reduces their breeding and foraging areas.
Overfishing and bycatch: Overfishing in their feeding grounds depletes their primary food sources, such as small fish, leading to food scarcity and affecting their ability to raise healthy chicks. Penguins also get caught in fishing nets and lines, leading to injuries or death. Bycatch is a significant threat, particularly from large-scale commercial fishing operations.
Climate Change: Changes in sea temperature and currents due to climate change affect the availability of their prey. Additionally, extreme weather events can damage nesting sites and reduce breeding success.
Pollution: Oil spills and plastic pollution pose significant threats. Oil spills can coat their feathers, reducing their insulation and buoyancy, leading to hypothermia and drowning. Ingested plastics can cause internal injuries and starvation.
Predation: Introduced predators such as rats, cats, and dogs prey on eggs, chicks, and even adult penguins. Natural predators, like fur seals, sea lions, and sharks, also pose threats, especially when penguins venture out to forage.
Human disturbance: Increased human activities, including tourism and coastal development, disturb nesting sites and breeding colonies, leading to reduced reproductive success.
Saving Humboldt penguins requires urgent and coordinated conservation efforts. Key strategies include protecting and restoring their coastal habitats, establishing marine protected areas, and regulating fishing practices to ensure sustainable fish populations. If you'd like to find out more about how you can support the humble Humboldt, visit Friend of the Earth or Donate to Twycross Zoo - who support international efforts in saving animals from extinction.
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