Pods of bottle-nosed dolphins play in the waters of this national reserve, while slinky sea otters slide off boulders and penguins waddle along the rocky shoreline – keeping their distance from sprawling sea-lion colonies. The 888-hectare reserve embraces three islands on the border between Regiónes III and IV, and makes one of the best excursions in Norte Chico. The reserve takes its name from the Humboldt penguin, which nests on rocky Isla Choros.
Humboldt penguins breed along the Peruvian and Chilean coasts. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources lists them as a 'vulnerable species,' with an estimated population of around 12,000 breeding pairs. Overfishing and the exploitation of guano were the primary causes for the penguin's decline, and experts say that if new conservation measures are not put in place, the species could well become extinct in the next few decades.
While noise and pollution from boats visiting the area is affecting local marine life, it is really Isla Damas – the only place where boats can land – that is suffering the most. Local biologists are reporting that the number of birds that call the island home has significantly dropped in recent years. The island was originally supposed to have a maximum visitation of 60 people per day. But these days, it seems that hundreds of tourists are flocking to the island daily. If you do decide to visit the park, you may consider skipping an excursion to Isla Damas altogether. If you visit the island, you should definitely keep to the established paths.
