Galapagos sees more penguins, flightless cormorants

A colony of African penguins on a rocky beach in South Africa. Photo: AFP

The population of Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorants, two species endemic to the islands, has seen a record increase, study results released last month showed.

The Galapagos penguin is one of the smallest species of penguins in the world, measuring up to 35cm, and the cormorants on the islands are the only type to have lost their ability to fly – but they have developed diving skills.