Evaluation of the impact of tourism on the behavior, breeding success and chick growth of Magellanic penguins in Peninsula Valdés, Argentina: preliminary results

VILLANUEVA, M. C.; BERTELLOTTI, M.; WALKER, B.

Tasmania, Australia

Conferencia; 6th International Penguin Conference; 2007

In the last decade, there has been increasing tourism activity in Argentine Patagonia focusing on wildlife visitation. As a consequence of its growth, there is a concern about the effects that ecotourism may have on wild populations. We measured the effect of human visitation on the normal behavior, breeding success and chick growth of Magellanic penguins in a breeding colony located in Peninsula Valdes, Chubut, Argentina. During different stages of the breeding season, we carried out experimental visits to penguins in two areas of the colony that do or do not experience tourist disturbance. We recorded the response distance at which penguins changed their behavior. The penguins in the visited area allowed people to approach closer before responding than did penguins in the non-tourist area. No clear pattern was found comparing the breeding stages and reproductive success did not differ between areas. Growth data were fitted to Generalized Richards Growth Model and were compared by Likelihood Ratio Test for both areas. The growth curves of the chicks were similar for tarsus, wing and bill length. These results suggest that penguins in the visited area may be habituated to people. However, since this is the first season of the study, complementary data -like physiological parameters- should also be incorporated.