Peru’s guano birds are facing a survival crisis, as the environment and economy depend heavily on the biodiversity of these species, including Peruvian pelicans, Peruvian boobies, and guanay cormorants, whose guano has fertilized crops for millennia. The sudden drop in their numbers has worried environmentalists and could put the future of Peru’s guano industry at risk.

Alarming Population Decline

Local scientists report that guano bird numbers along Peru’s central Pacific coast have dropped by over 75% in just three years, falling from around 4 million in 2022 to only about 500,000 by mid-2025. There are only 200,000 birds left in the critical reserve of Punta San Juan. In addition to endangering the birds, the reduction also puts the livelihoods of nearby farmers, who depend on guano as fertilizer, at risk.

National data shows that overall bird populations are shrinking, even though some areas like the Paracas National Reserve have seen seasonal increases. The guanay cormorants have been especially hard hit. Back in 1984, there were more than 3 million of them, but now their numbers are a fraction of that.

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Why Is the Collapse Occurring?

This crisis is the result of several pressures coming together:

• Avian Flu Outbreak (2022): A global avian influenza outbreak killed tens of thousands of seabirds, including guano species.
• El Niño (2023): The main food supply, anchoveta numbers, was lowered by warmer ocean waters, causing migration and interfering with reproduction.
• Overfishing: A lot of anchoveta is harvested for commercial fishmeal between 2024 and 2025. Scientists claim that Peru’s 2025 anchoveta catch quota, which was the highest in seven years, leaves little for biodiversity.

The outcome? Guano birds, and even Humboldt penguins, are in danger of going extinct due to a lack of food. If current trends continue, penguins may become extinct within a century, according to Dr. Susana Cardenas of Cayetano Heredia University.

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Conservation Efforts Underway

The following are initiatives to stop the decline:

• The Peruvian Agriculture Ministry is responsible for the country’s national reforestation plan, which aims to improve breeding conditions and conserve habitats.
• This 140,833-hectare reserve, which comprises 22 islands and 11 capes, restricts guano harvesting to once every ten years, following the breeding season.
• Cayetano Heredia University oversees the Punta San Juan Program, a 30-year research project that collaborates with the government to monitor population trends and ensure sustainable guano utilization.
• International partners, including ECOAN, BirdLife International, and the Saint Louis Zoo, contribute funds and conduct research.

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How You Can Help

You may help conserve guano birds by doing the following:

• Donate:
  • The Saint Louis Zoo supports research and habitat preservation at Punta San Juan.
  • BirdLife International works with local partners to save seabirds worldwide.
• Volunteer: For field opportunities, email info@puntasanjuan.org.
• Raise Awareness: To save marine food systems, disseminate knowledge, and promote ethical fishing methods.

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The Significance of This

Guano birds contribute to Peru’s biodiversity, marine environments, and agriculture, in addition to their role as seabirds. The huge decline in their numbers is a very clear sign that Peru’s guano birds are facing a survival crisis.

Saving these birds means more than just protecting a species; it’s about preserving a way of life that has balanced people and nature for centuries.

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