293 penguins were found dead on beaches in Florianópolis on July 9. More than 2,000 penguins were found dead on beaches in Florianópolis in four months — 293 last Thursday alone (9), according to the R3 Animal Association, responsible for the Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project (PMP-BS) in the region. According to the organization, 2,210 birds were located between March (first record of the year) and last Friday (10), but only 148 were alive. The numbers, however, according to experts, are within normal limits and follow the pattern observed in past seasons. ?Click and follow the g1 SC channel on WhatsApp SC records highest penguin deaths in 11 years Praia de Moçambique, in the East of the Island, concentrated the largest number of records, with 106 penguins in the period. Next comes Praia dos Ingleses, in the North, with 69. On the same day, only six penguins were rescued alive. In 2025, the capital's monitoring team recorded more than 2,700 penguins. Of the total, 2,615 were found dead. Deaths occur during 'travel' The migration of Magellanic penguins towards the Brazilian coast occurs annually between the months of May and June. Escaping the harsh cold, the birds leave their breeding colonies in Argentine Patagonia and the Falkland Islands, catching sea currents in search of food. Due to the exhaustion of the long journey, many animals end up succumbing along the way. Most deaths occur among younger individuals. According to Stella Ferrari, monitoring technician at PMP-BS/R3 Animal, inexperience weighs against the survival of these birds: "Most of the penguins we find are young, who are on their first migration and are lost from the flock due to inexperience. They run aground on the beach already dead or weakened, with signs of hypothermia and cachectic", explains Ferrari. Read also: Penguins 'ride' on a boat and jump into the sea after rehabilitation in Florianópolis Meet the Magellan penguin, a species that migrates to SC in winter In addition to the natural and biological wear and tear of the journey, factors of human interference, such as ocean pollution and accidental capture in fishing nets, worsen the species' vulnerability. The estimate is that penguins will continue to appear on the coast of Santa Catarina until September or October, a period in which the survivors begin the return route to their original colonies. Dead penguins are collected at Praia da Lagoinha Pequena, in Florianópolis, by the PMP-BS/R3 Animal R3 Animal/Disclosure team How does the rescue work? Monitoring of Florianópolis beaches is carried out on a daily basis, says R3 Animal. ?? According to the technical protocol, animals found lifeless undergo screening: Depending on the state of conservation of the carcass, they are sent for necropsy examinations in order to detail and confirm the cause of death. Debilitated birds found alive are taken urgently to the R3 Animal Rehabilitation Center. There, they receive the necessary veterinary treatment to stabilize their health until they are ready for release and reintroduction to the wild. The association reiterates that collection only occurs when the animal is actually on the sand strip. If penguins are seen swimming or feeding close to the coast, rescuers should not be called, as it is a natural behavior of temporary rest at sea. What to do when you find a penguin on the beach? To ensure the health safety of the population and the well-being of the animal, R3 Animal advises bathers to strictly follow the following handling instructions: ?Do not return the animal to the sea; ?Do not put the penguin in contact with water or ice; ? Don't try to feed him; ?Do not touch or pet the animal; ?Keep domestic animals (such as dogs and cats) away; Activate the rescue immediately using the PMP-BS/R3 Animal service numbers: (48) 3018-2316 or 0800 642 3341 (available daily, from 7am to 5pm). Penguin rescued alive at Praia do Moçambique; professionals wear protective clothing against Avian Influenza R3 Animal/Disclosure VIDEOS: most watched on g1 SC in the last 7 days