They have been critically impacted to the point of endangerment by climate change and pollution caused by plastic waste due to tourism and urbanization.

[8] Many years ago, the Humboldt Current is believed to have brought the penguins from mainland South America to the Galápagos Islands, where they have evolved in isolation into a separate species.

[10] Over millions of years, the penguins underwent adaptations, developing unique features that enabled their existence and allowed them to thrive under such an ecological niche.

They eat small schooling fish, mainly mullet, sardines, pilchards and anchovies,[9] and sometimes crustaceans.They play a role in regulating the populations of the marine species they consume.

One method involves stretching out their flippers and hunching forward to keep the sun from shining on their feet, which exchange heat rapidly because they have high blood flow and lack insulation.

[14] All these features promote and ensure survival in the harsh conditions present in their coastal habitat, hence the symbiotic relationship between the Galápagos penguins and their natural environment.

The Galápagos penguins find refuge in the cool and dark lava caves, which provide the appropriate conditions for raising their offspring since they offer protection from the sun, ensuring survival.

[16] After completing courtship, with rituals including bill dueling, flipper patting, and mutual preening, the pair will build and maintain a nest.

Conversely, during La Niña events when sea surface temperatures are lower than normal and the climate patterns shift, Galápagos penguin populations begin to recover.

[27] Anthropogenic climate change has been shown to increase frequency and intensity of El Niño events beyond levels of natural variability which negatively impacts the Galápagos penguin.

[17] Predictive models suggest future El Niño events will increase in frequency and severity over the next century, posing further threats to the Galápagos penguin.

The intricate relationship between urban environments and penguin populations is exemplified by the pollution that results from human activities, such as the improper disposal of waste into oceans, the emission of greenhouse gases, and excessive energy consumption.

The garbage disposal practices associated with urbanization have a negative impact on marine ecosystems and indirectly affect the Galápagos penguins.

The release of plastic, chemicals, and other pollutants into the ocean disrupts ecosystems and food chains, posing a severe threat to marine life.

[29] Penguins at higher trophic levels are vulnerable to the bioaccumulation of pollutants through their prey, leading to adverse health effects and population decline.

The water surrounding the Galápagos Islands, known for its biodiversity and pristine nature, becomes a receptacle for urban waste, impacting the penguins and their habitat.

[30] As these penguins rely on a steady balance of environmental factors for their survival, any disturbance brought about by urban-induced climate change can have severe consequences on their population dynamics.

The energy demands of urban environments drive resource extraction and exploitation, indirectly affecting the habitats of Galápagos penguins.

[31] The association of global ecosystems means that even seemingly isolated regions, such as the Galápagos Islands, are not insulated from the consequences of urban-driven resource depletion.

As the energy demand continues to rise globally, the indirect impacts on the Galápagos penguins become more pronounced, underscoring the urgency of adopting sustainable practices.

[32] Later, a 2009 study revealed the presence of a species of Plasmodium in Galápagos penguins, a genus of blood parasite that causes Avian malaria.

The Galápagos penguins face threats to their survival, primarily from anthropogenic climate change, and have been listed as endangered species in 2010 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Another consequence of climate change is the direct threat that sea level fluctuations pose to the nesting sites of the Galápagos penguins.

Rising sea levels, attributed to the melting of polar ice caps, can inundate low-lying areas where the penguins breed.

[36] Other threats include humans harvesting penguins for oil and other products, competition with fisheries for krill and other fish, habitat loss, increased predation from invasive species, bycatch, and pollution.

[37] On Isabela Island, humans may be contributing to the decline of this species due to introduced cats, dogs, and rats which attack penguins, destroy nests, and spread disease.

[39] The Galápagos penguin consists of two geographic subpopulations, but studies suggest that there is sufficient gene flow between these populations to treat them together when considering conservation strategies.

[Reference needed] Additionally, the Galápagos penguin demonstrates relatively low genetic diversity, making it especially vulnerable to disease, predation, and other environmental changes.

Fernandina and Isabela Islands provide rocky coastlines ideal for nesting, and the surrounding waters, enriched by the Cromwell Current, abound with fish and crustaceans that form their diet.

[Reference needed] Furthermore, human-induced factors such as pollution, oil spills, and fishing activities pose additional threats to their survival.