The declining Humboldt penguin population poses an extinction threat.

• The decline in the Humboldt penguin population threatens their survival.
• The penguins in the wild face dangers such as marine pollution, unattended pets, disrupted nesting areas, and avian flu.
• Humboldt penguins live in colonies along the Pacific coasts of Chile and Peru.

Experts warn that the Humboldt penguin population, one of the 18 penguin species, is at risk of extinction due to a dramatic decrease in their numbers in areas along the central coast of Chile.

In contrast to last year, when scientists found 842 breeding pairs or active nests on two islands off the central Chilean coast, this year they only detected one breeding pair.

On all islands surveyed, penguin populations either decreased or stayed the same, according to veterinarian Paulina Arce, who specializes in penguins.

Arce stated that this could result in an even more severe outcome, potentially leading to the extinction of the species.

Penguins known as Humboldt penguins reside in colonies along the Pacific coasts of Chile and Peru. They are named after the cold Humboldt Current that they bathe in. As adults, these flightless birds can weigh up to 11 pounds and stand at a height of 2 feet 3 inches.

The main threats to penguins in the wild, according to Diego Penaloza, president of the Safari Conservation Foundation, are marine pollution, inadequate supervision of pets, and disruptions to their nesting sites.

Avian flu, intensified by El Nino, has devastated penguin populations and other wildlife, leading to a near-zero reproduction rate among Humboldt penguins, as stated by Javiera Meza, head of Biodiversity Conservation at Conaf's national forestry office.

"Meza stated that the combination of the avian flu and El Nino caused a shift in food distribution to the southern zone, resulting in almost zero reproduction levels in the entire northern Chile. Additionally, many penguins died, making it seem like a perfect storm."