55 years of continuous monitoring of the Galápagos penguin

The expedition was carried out by the University of Washington's Center for Ecosystem Sentinels, led by Dr. Dee Boersma, in collaboration with Fundación Jocotoco, the Galápagos National Park Directorate, and with the invaluable support of Silversea Expeditions.

For 55 years, Dr. Dee Boersma has been making regular visits to the Galápagos Islands to conduct her research on the Galápagos penguin. Her work has contributed significantly to the scientific understanding of this species, as well as the Magellanic penguin, strengthening the evidence base needed for their long-term conservation.

During the expedition, the teams carried out a series of essential scientific activities to assess the status of the species and its habitat:

• Counting and photographing penguins to record their presence and distribution. The images are used for photo-identification, as each individual has unique markings that allow for long-term monitoring. During the 2025 expedition, 74 penguins were recorded: 73 adults and 1 juvenile.
• Recording biometric measurements, such as weight and body length, and marking several individuals to monitor their physical condition and health over time. On this occasion, 36 penguins were captured, measured, weighed, and photographed: 20 adult males, 13 adult females, 2 juveniles, and 1 chick.
• Inspecting natural and artificial nests to monitor reproductive success, the use of artificial nests, and the availability of suitable nesting sites. A total of 28 natural nests and 64 constructed nests suitable for breeding were inspected, with 6 active natural nests found: 5 containing one or two eggs, and 1 with a large chick.

Upon returning from the expedition, the preliminary results were shared with the local community in a public presentation held at the Salón de la Ciudad, in Santa Cruz, attended by 40 people, including tour guides, students, and scientists. This space allowed for information exchange, addressing questions, and reinforcing the link between science and the community.

To ensure the continuity and sustainability of this valuable long-term research, since 2024, Fundación Jocotoco has signed a cooperation agreement with the Center for Ecosystem Sentinels, which will provide technical and logistical support to the project in the coming years.

Joining this model of inter-institutional collaboration is Silversea Expeditions, which provided the use of its vessel, the Silver Origin, as a logistical platform for scientific researchdemonstrating the tourism sector's commitment to conserving Galápagos biodiversity. This type of partnership represents a replicable model, harnessing synergies between science, conservation, and tourism to optimize logistical resources, expand the scope of monitoring, and strengthen the link between responsible tourism and nature protection.

"Despite the threats faced by Galápagos penguins, such as climate change, feral cats, and introduced rats, the resilience of this species is remarkable. The Galápagos National Park Directorate, NGOs, and academia continue working together to mitigate these threats so that they can continue to thrive," said Dr. Dee Boersma, Director of the Center for Ecosystem Sentinels.

"Protecting the Galápagos penguin also means protecting the balance of the marine-coastal ecosystem on which it depends," said Eliécer Cruz, Director of the Galápagos Program at Fundación Jocotoco. "Monitoring efforts like this allow us to better understand the threats facing the species and to design more effective conservation strategies."

Fundación Jocotoco reaffirms its commitment to the conservation of the ecosystems and endemic and native species of Galápagos. Through science, institutional collaboration, and work with communities, we seek to ensure a secure future for the Galápagos penguin, an endangered species, within its natural habitat.