Some 3,000 Humboldt penguins have died as a consequence of the avian influenza so far in 2023, according to official reports from the Chilean Fisheries National Service, Sernapesca. The data covers the period from February to October 6th and includes the flu death of 21.819 animals, of which 2,917 Humboldt penguins.
Humboldt penguins are threatened by inexorable man and …rats. Invading rats with bodies up to 20 centimetres long have begun eating eggs and chicks, and some experts fear that unless the rats are eradicated, they could tip the Humboldt penguin toward extinction.