The migration season of the Magalhães Penguins species on the Brazilian coast is ending. From June to November, these animals migrate to Brazil and so far, 6747 penguins were accounted for by Petrobras’ Beach Monitoring Projects as a requirement for Ibama’s environmental licensing.
is a quantity 20% higher than last year, when 5,657 penguins were registered in the same period. Many arrive on the Brazilian coast weakened or dead. Animals found alive are evaluated and, when necessary, are referred to receive veterinary care.
“Penguins are usually stranded from the coast of Espírito Santo to the south of the country and this number can vary from one year to the next.”, explains Denise Almeida, a Biodiversity consultant at Petrobras.
The Beach Monitoring Project was implemented in 2009 and the work in the Santos Basin, for example, which monitors the regions with the highest incidence of penguins, has been in existence for six years.
“This database that we are building over time is extremely important, as it helps the scientific community to understand the peculiarities of marine biodiversity on our coast and thus help in its preservation”, says Denise.
Santa Catarina is the state with the highest incidence, with 4741 monitored penguins; followed by Paraná, with 1028 and São Paulo, with 869. Penguins usually arrive at treatment units with hypothermia (below normal temperature), hypoglycemia (lack of blood sugar) and dehydration. After rehabilitation, with the stabilization of the clinical condition, they return to their natural habitat. Before being returned to the sea, they receive a chip that allows them to be monitored if they reappear on the Brazilian coast.
Reference: CNN Brasil
