Gentoos in the Falkland Islands (Pygoscelis papua)
In the late 19th century, it was estimated that eight penguins were required to produce one gallon of oil. Given that 50,700 gallons of penguin oil were reported to have been made by only four shipping vessels in 1867, means that almost half a million penguins were slaughtered in just one season, by just four vessels.
The figures above illustrate the widespread destruction of these birds that went on in the last two centuries. Not only were penguins sought after for their feathers and oil, but their eggs were also harvested in bulk, and it was not until 1999 that the collection of Rockhopper penguins’ eggs was made illegal.
It was not only penguins that were boiled for their oil; the slaughter of seals and sea lions, whales and dolphins were also part of well-documented thriving industries. Thankfully, these practices have now been stopped and activities are concentrated on preserving penguin populations and creating a safe environment for them to flourish.
Five species of penguin are found here but the colonies of Gentoo represent the largest population in the world. Contrary to expectation, penguins on the Falklands live, and come to breed, on the long, tropical-looking sandy beaches, sheep paddocks and dry heath land – there is not an iceberg in sight.
