Peru Crises : Govt. Declared Emergency

Highlights:

• The Government of Peru recently declared an environmental emergency due to oil spill last for 90 days.
• Around six thousand barrels of oil were spilled into the Pacific Ocean. 
• A tanker of Repsol, a Spanish Energy firm, was transporting oil to Vantinalla refinery in Peru. 
• The name of the tanker is “Mare Doricum”,an Italian tanker. 
• The oil spill occurred due to the explosion of undersea volcano Tonga. According to NASA, the Tonga volcano eruption is more powerful than an atom bomb.  
• The tsunami waves from the explosion caused the oil spill.

• The oil spill killed huge number of marine wildlife. It has left a huge impact on the local fishermen. 
• Also, it is to affect the tourism sector largely.
• Around 2,384 cubic metres of sand is affected by the oil spill.
• The total economic losses are estimated to be more than 50 million USD.
• Around 713 hectares of sea has been affected.

• The oil spill has threatened the survival of Humboldt penguins. These penguins are listed as “vulnerable” species by the IUCN.
• The fish in the region is carrying oil smell. The crustaceans that feed on the fish are badly affected.
• Humboldt Penguins
• The Humboldt Penguins were added to the Mumbai Byculla Zoo in September 2021. 
• They have large bare skin patches around their eyes. 
• This adaptation of the penguin helps to keep them cool. They are endemic to  the coasts of Peru and Chile.