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The Galapagos penguin is one of the smallest penguin species in the world. Image: Charles Darwin Foundation via AFP
The Galapagos penguin is one of the smallest penguin species in the world, measuring up to 35 centimeters, and the island cormorants are the only type that has lost the ability to fly, but have developed diving skills.
“The number of cormorants has reached a record number, according to historical data dating back to 1977, while the number of penguins is the highest since 2006,” said a statement from the Galapagos National Park, which conducted the census.
The population of Galapagos penguins, the only ones living on Earth’s equator, increased from 1,451 in 2019 to 1,940 in 2020, it added.
The number of flightless cormorants increased from 1,914 to 2,220 during the same period.
The study was carried out by the park and the Charles Darwin Foundation in September with the main colonies present on the Isabela and Fernandina islands and on the Marielas islets, to the west of the archipelago listed as natural heritage.
Paulo Proano, Minister of Environment and Water of Ecuador, said that the results of the census reflect the “good health of the population” of birds in the archipelago, located about 1,000 kilometers (625 miles) from the Ecuadorian coast, according to the park.
The park said the presence of the La Niña weather phenomenon, which helps provide more food for the birds, has contributed to the increase in their populations.
Another factor was the coronavirus pandemic, which has limited disturbances to nesting areas due to the drop in tourism, the park added.
The islands, which served as a natural laboratory for the English scientist Charles Darwin for his theory of the evolution of species, take their name from the giant tortoises that live there. IB
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