On Friday October 6 at 8pm, some tourists found a stranded penguin with evident health problems on the beach near Lomas Coloradas, San Pedro de la Paz, Biobío Region. The specimen was put under the care of Jaime Guzmán, a local resident who asked for the help of marine biologist Dr. Ramiro Riquelme, a professor in UdeC’s Department of Zoology and a junior researcher at IMO. The animal was a young Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti). Every effort was immediately made to communicate the situation and transport the bird to a specialized health center for examination. However, despite repeated attempts to contact the Chilean Fishing Service (SERNAPESCA), Port Captaincy, Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) and other centers and institutions, it was impossible to receive any help for this bird, which belonged to a species classified as endangered and under protection. The problem was that the penguin was found on a Friday after office hours. On top of that, the following Monday was a holiday!
In Chile, there have been more than 700 cases of stranded Humboldt penguins alone in the last 8 years, 20% of which were reported on the coasts of the Biobío Region. Then, one wonders, as there is a detailed list of protected, endangered or vulnerable species, as well as a database of the reasons for the strandings, what stops government offices, such as SERNAPESCA or SAG, in charge of safeguarding this and other species or of delegating care, from having a 24/7 contact number to help the population when facing these situations that have always occurred and will continue to occur?
It is urgent to have a team of specialists ready to help these species, perhaps working in shifts, to allow timely assistance.
It is important to learn from the past experiences of other governmental offices. For example, from the case of the Chilean National Office for Emergency (ONEMI), which before the 2010 mega-earthquake and tsunami did not have a 24/7 call center in the Biobío Region despite Chile’s propensity for natural disasters. So do we have to witness a mega-case of stranded species on Chilean coasts before the authorities take practical measures?
If the current government or the State of Chile really has a commitment to the environment and bio sustainable progress, there is no explanation for the lack of a public service allowing the public to at least give notice of strandings. In fact, reports of such situations involving bird and mammal species record that the animals have been “injured” due to activities such as fishing. Although fishing is highly relevant for the Chilean economy, it should take into account endangered flora and fauna. To this purpose, not only is a strong state policy required, but also close surveillance of the established protocols in these cases (if there are any) and urgent education of the population regarding these matters, as well as a basic permanent channel of communication.
On October 6, Chilean police finally arrived to verify the death of the penguin, after unsuccessful attempts to keep it alive. It was later taken by Dr. Riquelme and Dr. Urbina to UdeC’s Department of Zoology to be studied.
