Every year, the Mundo Marino Foundation’s Rescue and Rehabilitation Center carries out a registration and analysis of the main threats to marine fauna that were present at the time they were assisted.
Result of threats to marine fauna
Throughout 2024, a total of 327 animals, including marine mammals, reptiles, and seabirds, required some form of assistance. Out of this total, 225 animals were found alive: 137 needed to enter the rescue center to begin a rehabilitation process and 88 were attended on the beach for minor conditions or simply because they were going through natural processes such as rest or molting of their fur, as in the case of pinnipeds.
Pressure from tourists threatening marine fauna at rest
Unfortunately, out of the 327 registered animals, 92 were found dead on the beach. Regarding the 137 animals that entered the rescue center, 65 were successfully reintegrated, while 72 died due to the severity of their conditions upon arrival.
Regarding the main threats faced by marine fauna throughout 2024, first, lack of food was the primary issue, as it accounted for nearly 27% of cases.
Out of a total of 88 animals affected by malnutrition, the two most affected species were the Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) and the South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis), with 48 and 21 cases, respectively.
Threat of Magellanic penguins
“In the case of Magellanic penguins, almost all cases involved juvenile animals that were undergoing their first trophic migration.
They enter our rescue center with a condition known as “stranded penguin syndrome“: underweight, dehydrated, anemic, hypothermic, and heavily parasitized.
For some reason during their migratory journey from our Patagonia to Brazil, they do not find enough food.
Furthermore, these animals, like other marine species, if they do not find food, they dehydrate, as they absorb water from the solid food they ingest,” explains Rodríguez Heredia.
Secondly, public harassment and that of their pets accounted for 26.2% of cases.
This was mainly reflected in the case of pinnipeds resting on the beach or undergoing natural physiological processes such as molting of their fur.
Out of a total of 86 animals affected by this cause, the species threatened were the Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina), the South American fur seal, and the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens).
Why is it advisable not to approach
“The curiosity these animals generate is understandable, but people must understand that the beach is also their habitat.
The pinnipeds come to the beach to rest or shed their fur.
Any interaction of people with these resting animals puts their survival at risk because rest is a fundamental stage in their biological cycle.
Furthermore, it must be remembered that they are wildlife and in contact with humans, they can transmit zoonoses,” explained Sergio Rodríguez Heredia, biologist and head of the Mundo Marino Foundation’s Rescue Center.
Threats to marine fauna
Finally, although there were no alarming cases registered, the wound cases in pinnipeds due to abandoned fishing nets and ingestion of garbage in sea turtles drew attention.
A total of 6 pinnipeds were recorded that showed interaction with abandoned fishing waste and one case of a loggerhead sea turtle that, during its rehabilitation process, expelled plastic.
Loggerhead sea turtle expelling plastics from its digestive system
“The negative interaction with garbage is mainly seen in sea turtles, especially in the case of the green species.
For that species, 96% of live turtles that enter our center end up expelling garbage.
They mistake it for food and, as it accumulates in their digestive systems, it can ultimately affect their survival.
It is important to raise awareness about the responsibility we have with the waste we generate when we go to the beach,” stated Karina Álvarez, Conservation Manager of the Mundo Marino Foundation.
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