Chincha Norte Island, Peru
Restoring a Historic Guano Island
THE PROJECT: Chincha Norte Restoration
LOCATION: Chincha Norte, Guano Islands, Peru
THE WORK: Harmful invasive rats threaten the colonies of seabirds that produce Chincha Norte’s guano—an important part of the ecosystem and natural resource for Peru. In September 2025, work will begin to remove these predators from the island and make it safe for birds to thrive once again!
SPECIES: Peruvian Diving-petrel, Inca Tern, Guanay Cormorant, Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Booby
About Chincha Norte Island
Chincha Norte is a Guano Island, the largest of the Chincha Islands, measuring about 1.3 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide. Composed primarily of granite, the islands feature steep cliffs and are known for their extensive guano deposits, which have historically supported large populations of seabirds. Guano mining has been an extremely important part of the island’s history, with seabird guano providing essential nutrients for plants to thrive and therefore making an excellent fertilizer. In addition to plants, seabird guano is critical to the health of the surrounding marine environment. Nutrients from the guano wash into the ocean and support robust marine life.
Unfortunately, invasive rats threaten once-thriving seabird colonies across the Guano Islands. Their populations have declined up to 90%—making the future of the island’s important guano deposits uncertain. In partnership with the Peruvian government, IOCC partner Island Conservation will begin to remove invasive predators, making it possible for colonies of seabirds to raise their young safely. As part of their IOCC pledge, the government of Peru anticipates using the restoration of Chincha Norte as a test case for the potential restoration of more of the historic guano islands.
Voices from the community
“The Chincha Islands, and especially Chincha Norte, embody a unique convergence of Peru’s natural richness and its historical legacy. By revitalizing Chincha Norte, we protect breeding habitats for seabirds, support marine biodiversity, and honor the deep-rooted connection between the Peruvian people and their coastal heritage.”
— Jose Luis Cabello, Head of Operations in Latin America, Island Conservation