Punta San Juan, Peru serves as critical breeding habitat for over half the Humboldt penguin population. Each January, this species congregates here to molt, breed, and care for their young. During this time, populations are monitored not only in Punta San Juan, but throughout the country’s coast. Because of human encroachment, competition for food and El Niño weather conditions, the Humboldt penguin populations have plummeted over the last century and there was worry that continued declines would push the species towards extinction.
The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium has been dedicated to Humboldt penguin conservation since 2015 through vairous activities such as, educational community awarness workshops, population assesments and monitoring, and as an active member of the Punta San Juan Humboldt Penguin Consortium. Education Manager, Ruby Draves, leads the local outreach program in partnership with the Puntan San Juan program which engages the local community in humboldt penguin and ocean conservation.
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