The population of penguins and wingless cormorants, two endemic species of the Galapagos archipelago, has seen a record increase, according to the results of a census released Friday, October 23 by the Galapagos National Park (PNG), in Ecuador. 

"The number of cormorants reaches a record number, according to historical data dating back to 1977, while the number of penguins is at the highest since 2006," PNG said in a statement, without specifying the number of birds in the time.

The population of Galapagos penguins, the only ones living on the Earth's equator, increased from 1,451 in 2019 to 1,940 in 2020. In the case of wingless cormorants, their number increased from 1,914 to 2,220 over the same period.

The Galapagos penguin is one of the smallest species of penguins in the world.

This bird measures up to 35 cm.

The archipelago cormorant is the only one of this species to have lost its ability to fly, but has developed diving skills.

Paralysis of tourist activities

The study carried out by the PNG and the Charles Darwin Foundation took place last September with the main colonies present on the Isabela and Fernandina Islands and on the Marielas islets, to the west of this archipelago classified as a natural heritage of humanity. .

For Paulo Proaño, Ecuadorian Minister of Environment and Water, the census results reflect the "good state of health of the population" of birds in the archipelago, located 1,000 km in front of the Ecuadorian coast, according to statements published by PNG.

PNG believes that the presence of the La Niña climatic phenomenon, which helps to provide more food for these birds, has contributed to the increase in their populations.

Another factor was "the absence of disturbances in the nesting areas of these species by the paralysis of tourist activities during the health crisis" linked to Covid-19, added the Park.

The archipelago, which served as a natural laboratory for the English scientist Charles Darwin for his theory of the evolution of species, takes its name from the giant tortoises that live there.

With AFP

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