Algarrobo

Algarrobo

Algarrobo Chile town and commune in the province of San Antonio, Valparaíso region. On a rocky island near the coast is the Islote Pájaros Niños, a nature sanctuary that is home to Humboldt Penguins, Magellanic Penguins, Peruvian Pelicans and Guanay Cormorants, which can be observed from a nearby hilltop with binoculars. Only members of the neighboring yacht club can visit the island. But to facilitate access, a breakwater was built in 1977 and 1978 to connect the island to the mainland. The area was then declared a protected Nature Sanctuary, when the island was home to an estimated 800 penguins. The breeding population of Humboldt Penguins is estimated to range from 25 to 473 individuals between 2016 and 2020. Resident Peruvian Pelicans are estimated at 30-1000 individuals, while non-breeding Guanay Cormorants are estimated at 10-500 individuals.