We often picture penguins ambling through a landscape of endless snow and swimming in frigid iceberg-filled oceans. While several penguin species live in a cold environment, others live miles away from snow among cactus in South American deserts and in the warmth of the tropics. There are actually 18 different penguin species concentrated in the Southern Hemisphere, 55% of which are listed as threatened. Most penguin populations are at risk from changes in our oceans primarily due to pollution, fisheries mismanagement, and the effects of climate change.
Global Penguin Society (GPS) is promoting penguin conservation and advocating for solutions to sustainable healthy activities in the ocean. They work with penguin researchers and conservationists worldwide, implementing a united conservation front for these charismatic flightless birds. GPS also promoted the creation of the first ever IUCN Penguin Specialist Group, dedicated to the conservation of all 18 species.
When I see a penguin, I feel like they really reflect how wonderful and how fantastic this planet is...and also how fragile it is.Dr. Pablo Borboroglu
Growing up, Pablo’s grandmother told him stories of her childhood visits to see the penguins in Patagonia. As an adult, after receiving his Ph.D. in biology, Pablo dedicated his life to the protection of the world’s penguins. He has gone on to win the prestigious Whitley Award in 2010 and is a co-founder, and president, of the Global Penguin Society.
Pablo’s ability to unite the interests of numerous countries together with the interests of penguins and marine conservation, is especially commendable. He has lobbied successfully for several protected areas, including helping establish the “Blue Patagonia” UNESCO biosphere reserve—which protects 40% of the global population of Magellanic penguins.
Every year, before penguins arrive from their annual winter migration, GPS brings students and volunteers out to collect garbage and debris from the beach and nesting areas of colonies in Argentine Patagonia. Materials are then processed at a recycling center. Much of this trash is plastic, providing an opportunity to draw attention to the problem of single-use plastics and ocean pollution.
GPS collects essential data on the biology and ecology of penguins, including population size, breeding parameters, and growth trends, as well as key feeding areas and migratory routes at sea. This allows GPS to detect overlaps with human activities, such as fisheries, oil drilling operations, and pollution to identify critical areas for marine protection.
GPS targets their educational efforts at local communities living near penguin colonies so that the next generation will better value penguins and their habitat. GPS organizes field trips for students to visit penguins, teaches in-person and virtual lessons, and provides learning material for teachers. GPS also extends this material to governments, tour guides, and travel agents to reach the wider public.
GPS is particularly invested in creating new marine and coastal protected areas and improving their management to protect penguin foraging and migration areas from human activities. GPS formulates advice for governments, landowners, and tourism operators in different countries to secure conditions for the persistence and growth of penguin populations.
Restoring Habitat
Every year, before penguins arrive from their annual winter migration, GPS brings students and volunteers out to collect garbage and debris from the beach and nesting areas of colonies in Argentine Patagonia. Materials are then processed at a recycling center. Much of this trash is plastic, providing an opportunity to draw attention to the problem of single-use plastics and ocean pollution.
Scientific Research
GPS collects essential data on the biology and ecology of penguins, including population size, breeding parameters, and growth trends, as well as key feeding areas and migratory routes at sea. This allows GPS to detect overlaps with human activities, such as fisheries, oil drilling operations, and pollution to identify critical areas for marine protection.
Expanding Education
GPS targets their educational efforts at local communities living near penguin colonies so that the next generation will better value penguins and their habitat. GPS organizes field trips for students to visit penguins, teaches in-person and virtual lessons, and provides learning material for teachers. GPS also extends this material to governments, tour guides, and travel agents to reach the wider public.
Guiding Policy
GPS is particularly invested in creating new marine and coastal protected areas and improving their management to protect penguin foraging and migration areas from human activities. GPS formulates advice for governments, landowners, and tourism operators in different countries to secure conditions for the persistence and growth of penguin populations.
$80 allows one child to visit a penguin colony helping them to value penguins and understand their needs.
$600 allows GPS to track feeding trips of a penguin during a complete breeding season and which helps justify the designation of marine protected areas.
$1,000 will help to census a penguin colony to determine their population size and trends.
