Peruvian coast sees mass seabird deaths linked to El Niño conditions

Coastal communities in Peru’s Ancash and Lima regions reported large numbers of dead seabirds, including pelicans, piqueros, guanayes and Humboldt penguins. In the fishing village of Huarmey, carcasses were found near the Culebras landing zone, prompting local calls for SERFOR and SENASA to investigate possible avian influenza and remove the remains. Nearby in Chilca’s Yapa beach, fishermen and authorities documented similar mortality during early July 2026, noting a sharp increase in sea‑surface temperatures.

Scientists attribute the die‑offs to El Niño‑related warming that has driven anchovy and other small fish populations to deeper, colder waters, starving the birds that depend on these schools. The shortages have also reduced catches for local fishers, threatening livelihoods and raising public‑health concerns over the decomposing biomass on the beaches.