Endangered Status
Currently the Galapagos Penguin is now endangered almost to the brink of extinction with their population less than 2,000 individuals. (Steinfurth 2012, May 1) The Galapago Penguin is only penguin that can be found at the equator and in the Galapagos; being the only location were the Galapagos Penguins are endangered there (Galápagos Penguin n.d.). Right now the largest threat to the Penguin's extinction is the natural phenomenon El Niño. This event cause the temperature to rise in the ocean making the source of food, small fishes such as sardines, harder to acquire due to the lack of fish. Not only is El Niño the cause of the penguins endangerment the accidental drowning (due to fish nets) of penguins, oil spills contaminating the water, and the increase of human population and the pressure of tourist visiting. Also the introduction of invasive species have caused the penguins to be hunted and o be infected due to avian malaria which is caused by mosquitoes brought by humans. (Steinfurth 2012, May 1)
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