Thousands Of Penguins Are Dead In Argentina, Some Left Half-Eaten. Here's Why

Last Updated:February 05, 2026, 18:59 IST

What puzzled researchers was not just the scale of the killings but the condition of many of the bodies as several penguins were found untouched or only partially eaten

Researchers are now closely monitoring both penguin and puma populations in the national park. (Reuters)

A disturbing discovery along a remote stretch of South America’s southern coastline has left scientists and environmental experts deeply concerned. Thousands of penguins have died over the years in what initially appeared to be the work of predators. However, closer investigation has revealed a far more complex crisis shaped by changing ecosystems, returning wildlife and the growing impact of climate change.

The deaths have been documented in Argentina’s Monte Leon Park, where researchers have been studying penguin colonies for years. According to a report cited by ScienceTech Daily, a four-year study found that a large number of penguins were killed by pumas, a predator that has gradually returned to the region. Between 2007 and 2010 alone, more than 7,000 adult penguins were killed, accounting for nearly 7.6% of the entire colony.

What puzzled researchers was not just the scale of the killings but the condition of many of the bodies. Several penguins were found untouched or only partially eaten. Experts believe this may be an example of what is known as “surplus killing", a behaviour seen in some predators when prey is easily available, leading them to kill more than they consume. Similar patterns have also been observed in domestic cats, which sometimes kill birds without feeding on them.

Scientists say the situation is the result of multiple factors coming together. After the 1990s, livestock farming declined in parts of southern Argentina, allowing pumas to return to areas they had long abandoned. At the same time, penguins, which once bred on distant islands safe from land predators, gradually began settling on the mainland. This shift made them more vulnerable, as penguins are poorly equipped to defend themselves against predators on land.

While puma hunting has played a major role in the deaths, researchers emphasise that it is not the only threat. Climate change and declining breeding rates pose an even greater long-term danger. Changes in sea temperature, food availability and nutrient cycles are making it harder for penguin chicks to survive, affecting the colony’s ability to recover. Scientists warn that if young penguins continue to struggle and birth rates remain low, populations could decline sharply in the future.

Experts note that puma attacks alone are unlikely to wipe out the colony. However, when combined with harsh weather, food shortages and reduced breeding success, the risk becomes far more serious. The crisis, they say, reflects how sensitive species can be affected when ecological balance shifts.

Researchers are now closely monitoring both penguin and puma populations in the national park. They stress that the return of pumas is a natural process, but it has created new challenges for species that evolved without land-based predators. The situation is also seen as a warning sign for other coastal ecosystems, where increasing predator activity is putting pressure on seabirds and even sea turtles.

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