Peruvian pelican populations decline by nearly 40 percent

A recent study published in Marine Ornithology reveals that Peruvian pelican populations within protected natural areas have declined by between 31.5% and 37.6%. National authorities have reported between 40,000 and 47,000 deaths of the species.

The decline is attributed to a combination of the H5N1 avian influenza epidemic, which caused high mortality between November 2022 and May 2023, and the El Niño coastal phenomenon occurring between March 2023 and March 2024. Experts warn that the increasing frequency of El Niño events provides insufficient recovery time for bird populations. Additionally, rising sea temperatures are altering the availability of anchoveta, the primary food source for the species.