What makes this penguin the only one of its kind? It’s a Galapagos Penguin, found only in the Galapagos Islands. Specifically, it lives on some of the islands which lie barely north of the equator; making this the only penguin species that lives north of the equator. How does it survive in such a tropical environment? The Humboldt and Cromwell currents bring cold water to the Galapagos, making it a suitable playground of these penguins.
The Galapagos Penguin is endangered. There are only about a thousand breeding pairs. A chance to see these birds is just one more reason the Galapagos is such a special place to visit. When I was there, not only did I see them on their nests, but I also got to swim with them. I was snorkeling, and a penguin came swimming right past me; shooting through the water like a bullet!