Galapagos penguin  (Spheniscus mendiculus)

The main threat facing this unique penguin is the fluctuations in food supply, compounded by El Nino events. The 1982-1983 El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) resulted in the catastrophic loss of 77% of the population through starvation. A slow period of recovery followed, but the 1997-1998 ENSO resulted in another precipitous population crash of 66%. It is now thought that the species is experiencing another recovery phase (2). Other threats facing this beleaguered penguin include predation by introduced feral animals such as dogs and cats, increased disturbance by tourists, pollution (including oil spills), and fishing (5).

All populations of the Galapagos penguin occur within the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve (2). At present, all populations are closely monitored and feral animals are controlled. Proposed measures to help this highly endangered species include discouraging the use of fishing nets in the foraging area, preventing coastal developments in the breeding areas, and providing nest-boxes in predator free areas to allow research into the reproductive success of the species (2). As the population of the diminutive and uniquely adapted Galapagos penguin is so small and precarious, and restricted to just one breeding location, unfortunately the species is extremely vulnerable to extinction (1).