Falklands Conservation

A major Islands-wide census of Gentoo, Rockhopper and King Penguins was undertaken between October 2000 and January 2001. The results have been compared with similar counts five years ago to determine trends in Falkland seabird numbers.

Gentoo Penguins
A big increase has been observed in the numbers of Gentoo penguins. In the last census (1995-96) the total was 65,000 breeding pairs. This has increased to 113,000 breeding pairs. Even given the differences due to possible error in the method and natural population variation, this looks promising for the Falklands population of this species.

Rockhopper Penguins
Rockhopper penguins reveal a slightly different trend, but one that shows stability at the very least. Rockhoppers were counted at key sites in the 1980's using the colony area and nest density method. During the 1995-96 census counts were made using only transects through the colony to establish nest density and the colony area was assumed to be the same as in the 1980's. In 2000 nest densities were again assessed but this time the colony areas were re-measured. This revealed that both colony area and nest density had declined from those figures found in the 1980's. The total population was estimated at 297,000 breeding pairs in 1995. However, if we assume that the colony area declined in a linear fashion between these dates, the actual figure for 1995-6 would have been closer to the 272,000 breeding pairs that obtained during 2000. Hence there was an over-estimation of Rockhoppers 5 years ago, by around 30,000 breeding pairs. There clearly was been a big decline in the past, but the good news is these latest figures indicate that the numbers for this species appear to be stable at present.

King Penguins
King penguin chicks have decreased from 229 in the 1995/96 census to 275 chicks in 2000.

Photo: King Penguin Chick

These figures represent the successful breeders and do not take into account failed or late breeders. Thus we believe that this slightly lower figure can be explained by variation in breeding success rather than a decrease in breeding pairs. Because some King penguins can raise one chick every two years and some two chicks every three years the total minimum number of breeding pairs ranges from 344 and 516. This is a considerable increase from the 38 pairs in the early 1980s.

Magellanic Penguins
A suitable way of accurately assessing the Falkland population of Magellanic Penguins has still not been found. Their huge geographic variation, wide range of densities in different habitats, deep burrowing habits, and widespread distribution on some of the most remote and inaccessible islands, makes estimating their numbers extremely difficult and unreliable. Anecdotal knowledge would suggest their areas are changing and increasing, and no problems have been detected through our breeding success measurements giving us some indication that all is well. It remains, however, one scientific secret that the penguins are perhaps not yet ready to give up!

Future Prospects

Given this year's rather poor breeding success for Gentoos, which was much lower than normal at 0.4 chicks per breeding pair, immigration should not be ruled out

Falklands Conservation will continue to monitor seabird population trends. Rockhopper Penguins are still a cause for concern. They have not recovered to their previous high numbers and continue to decline elsewhere in the world. Figures revealed by Census 2000 on the Gentoo Penguins are being examined to see if they represent an increase through natural breeding success or immigration from other areas. We will continue to measure the breeding success of Magellanic Penguins at selected sites using a transect method and continue to explore an accurate method of assessing the overall Falklands population.

Falkland Islands Penguin Census 2000
Report by Andrea Clausen
Price: £10 inc post and packing
(To obtain a copy - Click here)

Penguin Census 2000 was supported by our Penguin Appeal. We are very grateful to the following for their generous donations towards this important project:
HB Allen Charitable Trust, The Bromley Trust, Eileen M Tyler's Charitable Trust, Fishmongers Company,	Lindeth Charitable Trust, Marsh Christian Trust, The Maurice Laing Foundation, The Really Useful Group

Click to make a donation to Penguin Appeal to continue our vital work protecting penguins.

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Falklands Conservation UK Charity 1073859 Patron: HRH The Duke of York CVO ADC Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature | BirdLife International Representative