Humboldt penguin award
Find out how to become a Champion in Conservation for Humboldt penguins!
Not all penguins live in cold countries - Humboldt penguins are found in South America.
But overfishing is threatening penguin survival. Peruvian anchovies are a vital food source for penguins. They’re also the most heavily overfished fish in world history.
Most of the catch goes to feed livestock like pigs. Humans only actually eat about 2% of what is caught. But nearly 80% of the world’s fish stocks have been over-exploited.
This is a big threat not only to penguins but all marine wildlife. If we continue to support companies who use unsustainable fishing practises in their supply chains then Humboldt penguins will be pushed to the brink of extinction.
CONNECT BY:
LEARNING MORE
Learning fun and interesting facts about animals helps us to feel more connected to them. Using our page on Humboldt penguins learn about their diet, habitat and the threats to their survival.
VISITING YOUR LOCAL ZOO
There’s no better way to feel connected to animals than seeing them in person and with over 20,000 animals and 128 acres of zoological gardens to explore, Chester Zoo is the perfect location! During your next visit, come and meet our Humboldt penguins, take photos and make memories that will last a lifetime. While you’re there, why not learn all about Humboldt penguins and how overfishing is threatening their survival.
TAKE ACTION BY:
BUYING SUSTAINABLY SOURCED FISH
You can make sure all the fish you buy is from sustainably managed stocks. Look out for these logos on the packaging, as they guarantee that the fish is caught or farmed responsibly, with minimum damage to the marine environment.
REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF FISH WE EAT
If we all make the effort to reduce the amount of fish in our diet then demand for fish will fall. This means fewer fish caught by humans and more left for Humboldt penguins and other wildlife. Researching sustainable alternatives to replace fish in our diet and creating a meal plan to help us stick to these changes could really help prevent extinction of Humboldt penguins.
BE A VOICE FOR CHANGE BY:
Part of conservation is using your voice to create social change around you.
There’s no one way to do this, you could create a poster or artwork, you could create a film or give a talk to friends and family, you could even write to your local MP to make them more aware of a conservation issue you’re passionate about.
Whatever you choose, get creative and do something that suits your way of using your voice for change!
Need some inspiration?
We’ve got some useful resources to help you get on your way to help:
WHAT TO DO TO COMPLETE YOUR AWARD?
Awards are earned for completing one connect, one action, and one voice challenge on your chosen topic. If you have done all three then you can apply for your award.
Get inspired by some of our resources and ideas to achieve a Humboldt penguin award and find the way YOU want to connect, take action and be a voice for change and let us know how you’ve completed these through your application.
1. You can complete this challenge on your own, with friends or as part of a community group.
2. Collect evidence with photos, films or other ways to document your experience and write an account in your award application.