Fears Grow Most Galápagos Penguins May Die This Year Due to Super El Niño
Summary
Scientists expect a strong El Niño weather pattern to develop soon, which could harm the Galápagos penguin population. This climate event warms ocean waters and reduces the food available to marine animals, putting wildlife like penguins and marine iguanas at risk.Key Facts
- El Niño is a natural climate event that warms the Pacific Ocean and changes weather patterns worldwide.
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a likely El Niño from May to July, with a chance of a "super" strong event later this year.
- During the intense 1982-83 El Niño, 77% of Galápagos penguins and 97% of shallow water coral died.
- There are only about 2,000 Galápagos penguins left today, making them vulnerable to changes in ocean temperature and food supply.
- Warm waters during El Niño reduce cold water upwelling, cutting nutrients and causing fish to move away, which disrupts the penguins' food chain.
- Marine iguanas also suffered heavy losses (70%) during the 1982-83 event due to less algae, their main food.
- Some species like land iguanas and Darwin’s finches may benefit from more rainfall and food during El Niño.
- Invasive species such as goats and rats can also increase during these conditions, putting extra pressure on native animals.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.