El Niño forces marine bird migration and animal deaths along Peru's coast

Sea surface warming caused by the coastal El Niño phenomenon has driven anchovies southward, reducing the main food source for seabirds and marine mammals along Peru's shoreline. As a result, pelicans, gulls, penguins, sea lions and turtles have moved onto piers and beaches in search of sustenance, and more than 2,000 dead marine animals have been found on the beaches of Casma, Huarmey and Chimbote in the Ancash region.

SERFOR officials warned residents not to feed the birds, noting that feeding can spread viruses, bacteria and parasites. They also urged municipalities to follow proper burial protocols for dead animals and asked the public to avoid handling carcasses to prevent health risks. Monitoring of the affected fauna will continue.