“I was shocked.”

by Nicole WesthoffOctober 21, 2025

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A local rancher bulldozed through a penguin nesting colony at Punta Tombo, Argentina, destroying over 175 nests and killing more than 100 penguins and their chicks, as reported by Esri.

When Dr. Pablo García Borboroglu, founder of the Global Penguin Society (GPS), first saw the destruction, it didn’t seem real. Hundreds of Magellanic penguins lay crushed beneath a bulldozed road, their nesting grounds in ruins.

“I was shocked,” said Borboroglu. “This place was special.”

For Borboroglu and conservation director Laura M. Reyes, the site was gut-wrenching — and it lit a fire. The two immediately began documenting the scene, gathering measurements, photographs, and videos to present to officials. They knew the evidence had to speak louder than outrage.

Their persistence paid off. The rancher was tried and convicted, a first-of-its-kind ruling in Argentina. The case set a precedent for stronger protections for wildlife and accountability for environmental harm.

The conviction wasn’t just about one rancher; it showed that destroying wildlife has real consequences. For years, conservationists had watched similar cases go unpunished. This time, though, justice was on the penguin’s side, and it set a powerful example for others.

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Borboroglu has dedicated decades to protecting penguins and their ecosystems, working alongside communities, scientists, and governments to create marine reserves and advocate for stronger conservation laws. His work shows that change doesn’t just come from institutions; it comes from people refusing to look away.

The Punta Tombo case became a symbol of what’s possible when people take action to defend what they love. It also highlighted the growing power of environmental justice movements across Latin America, where citizens and scientists are working hand in hand to protect their land and wildlife.

Today, GPS monitors penguin colonies, especially in Patagonia and Argentina, leveraging mapping tools, satellite imagery, and community outreach to inform and guide habitat protection.

Over his career, Borboroglu has helped secure protection for 13 million hectares (roughly 32 million acres) of penguin habitat, benefiting 1.6 million penguins.