If you are on a boat, in Chile, traveling to a small island with huge penguin popularity, you are probably going to Magdalena island. Magdalena island has huge penguin populations, especially Magellanic penguins, and sadly, these penguins are decreasing in population. For a couple of reasons, it’s way better to see penguins in the wild than it is in zoos, and here's why.
A little bit about Magdalena Island and why it's so special
I want to explain a little bit about the island. It’s a very small island, and there is mainly a population of Magellanic penguins, seagulls, and the main predator on the island, the Chilean skua. The Chilean Skua usually attacks tiny chicks and eats them which is why they are the main predator of penguins on Magdalena island.
Fitz Roy, the same explorer who explored the Chaltén mountain range, discovered it. No humans live on the island, it’s just penguins so it’s even more exciting to see how they live their penguin life. It's one of the only islands that are occupied by this breed of penguin. There are some other islands and other breeds of penguins that are occupying islands like Zavodovski Island in the South Sandwich Islands (sound familiar? The same islands Shackleton sailed his lifeboat to! See my post on Shackleton's story!)
Why it's better to see penguins in the wild than it is in zoos-
This island is full of Magellanic penguins, a species found mostly in Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands. When I first visited this island, I was instantly amazed at how capable these animals are on their own. Magdalena island is home to these penguins, and they have built a community and homes for themselves. This is one of the only islands in the world that is completely occupied by these penguins, and probably one of the only places where you can see them in the wild with no humans living on the same island.
This also means there isn't a lot in general in the United States, and there aren't any Magellanic penguins living there as their natural habitat. It's important that we can see them in their habitat other than in zoos because it's an environment they have created with their families and their homes, not where they have been taken to for visitors to see in other places.
Saving penguins from extinction
There are roughly 2-3 million Magellanic penguins in the world, and we need to preserve them so they don’t become extinct. This means preserving Magdalena island, and not putting extra buildings on the island. So far, there is only one lighthouse on the island, and it’s run automatically.
Ainsley at Isla Magdalena with Magellanic penguins!
The San Francisco zoo has the largest breeding of Magellanic penguins in captivity!
I do well understand that it is very hard to see them since Chile is far away from the US, it's still very great that you can see them in zoos, but nothing will compare to seeing them in the wild. Magdalena island is an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience and an amazing bucket list idea!
You can support these amazing animals by making a donation through the adopt a penguin site on the SF zoo website!
Link for more information:
I love penguins!! I like to know people are preserving them. They deserve your help!!🐧🐧- Paige
I learned so much! Thanks, Ainsley! I’m all for natural habitats and fewer zoos! (PS I hate zoos)
Thank you for this informative post, Ainsley. I learned so much! I had never heard of a skua before so I had to look them up! It sounds like it was an incredible experience :)
Seeing them at the SF zoo is great, but getting to see them in their natural habitat is amazing!
Ha, wow. I didn't know that about the SF Zoo. I'll check them out the next time we go there. Did you see any baby chicks?