The health status of the entire population of the Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) is investigated at Punta San Juan reserve.
The data is collected through this project is a unique source of information that will aid in identifying referential health parameters for resident Humboldt penguin populations at Punta San Juan. Subsequently, we will be able to understand what parameters are being affected, if there is any mortality caused by emerging diseases. This information is also used to discard diseases that typically affect seabirds, such as avian cholera, avian influenza, etc.
This information is collected each year during animal health assessments in the field, where veterinary specialists take samples to assess the health, emerging diseases and conduct ecotoxicology studies that may be affecting Humboldt penguin populations.
Determining baseline reference health values for this population aids in monitoring the population´s health status on a long-term basis. This research has been undertaken in the 1990s and on an annual basis since 2007. Since the penguin colony at Punta San Juan is one of the largest in the world for this species, this project is of special importance.