The smallest of the Banded Penguins and the northernmost of all penguin species, the Galapagos Penguin is designated as “Endangered.” El Niño events have severely affected populations of this penguin over the last 50 years.
One of the next things we asked ourselves was; which penguin species are endangered?
Galapagos Penguin The smallest of the Banded Penguins and the northernmost of all penguin species, the Galapagos Penguin is designated as “Endangered.” El Niño events have severely affected populations of this penguin over the last 50 years.
However, it is known that the populations of the erect-crested penguin have drastically declined in recent decades. Its small range further puts in trouble. There are about 130,000 to 140,000 penguins of this species living today. Yellow-eyed Penguin Another endangered penguin species, the Megadyptes antipodes is native to New Zealand.
This of course begs the question “Why is the jackass penguin endangered?”
The answer is that it is also known as the jackass penguin because of the donkey-like bray that it produces. Today, these penguins are on the list of endangered species due to a number of factors. The species has been historically exploited for its eggs which were considered a delicacy.
Northern Rockhopper Penguin The Eudyptes moseleyi is an endangered penguin species whose population has declined by about 90% since the 1950’s. The species has a highly restricted range.
What is the rarest penguin in the world?
Galapagos penguins are the most endangered and rarest species of the penguins in the world. You can find them at the equator only except near Antarctica. Dissimilar to the other species of penguins, the Galapagos penguins possess numerous adaptations which let them withstand the warmer climate.
What are the threats to the Galapagos penguin?
The common threats to this species of penguin are oil spills and an irregular breeding pattern. This species of endangered penguin is the only species that is found North of the equator in the Galapagos islands. The penguin weighs 2.5 kilograms on an average and grows up to 49 centimeters.