The species nests on flat beaches or among tussock grasses in South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, often on gentle slopes at Crozet and in grasses at Marion Island. Further south, on the Antarctic Peninsula, nests are typically on low lying gravel beaches, some rocky areas, and dry moraines. Colonies are much smaller than those of other Pygoscelis species, with the largest including only c.6,000 breeding pairs (Bost & Jouventin 1990, Lynch et al. 2008). It feeds opportunistically and preys predominantly on crustaceans, fish and squid. It preferably forages inshore, close to the breeding colony (Lescroël & Bost 2005). Winter habitats are less well studied, but available data suggest that it prefers coastal areas, while movements are more local relative to its congeners (Tanton et al. 2004, Hinke et al. 2017).

Gentoo Penguins are defined morphologically as a single species with a northern and southern subspecies. A recent phylogenetic tree based on mitochondrial DNA showed a deep division between populations in the Indian and Atlantic oceans, with at least three distinct clades, two in the respective sub-Antarctic and Antarctic zones of the Atlantic Ocean, and a deeply divergent and unnamed third clade in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean (de Dinechin et al. 2012). Further phylogenetic analyses have also shown that the species shows a deep divergence between populations (Vianna et al. 2017), suggesting investigation into the taxonomic status is needed.

Pygoscelis papua has a circumpolar breeding distribution that ranges in latitude from the Fish Islands on the Antarctic Peninsula (66°01'S) (Fraser unpublished) to the Crozet Islands (46°00'S) (Lynch 2013).

Population trends are difficult to establish because of large year-to-year fluctuations in the size of the breeding population. The global population was estimated at 387,000 pairs, suggesting that the population may now be increasing, particularly in the south of its range (Lynch 2013). The three most important locations, containing 80% of the global population, are the Falkland Islands (Malvinas): 132,000 breeding pairs at about 84 breeding sites (Baylis et al. 2013), South Georgia: 98,867 pairs (South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands) (Trathan et al. 1996) and the Antarctic Peninsula (incl. South Shetland Island): 94,751 pairs (Lynch et al. unpublished). Other breeding sites include Kerguelen Island: 30,000-40,000 pairs (Weimerskirch et al. 1988) and Crozet Island: 9,000 pairs (Jouventin 1994) in the French Southern Territories, Heard Island (to Australia): 16,574 pairs (Woehler 1993), South Orkney Islands: 10,760 pairs (Lynch et al. unpublished), Macquarie Island (Australia): 3,800 pairs, South Sandwich Islands: 1,572 pairs (Convey et al. 1999) and Prince Edward Island (South Africa): 1,000 to 1,250 pairs (Dyer and Crawford 2015). Small numbers (<100) are also found on Martillo Island and Islas de los Estados in Argentina (Bingham 1998, Ghys et al. 2008).

Conservation Actions Underway
Long-term monitoring programmes are in place at several breeding colonies. The origin of diseases at certain colonies (Crozet and Kerguelen) is under study.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue/extend long-term monitoring of breeding colonies. Minimize disturbance to breeding colonies. The species is very much sensitive to disturbance at the Prince Edward Islands. Consider studies of approach distance, including at colonies habituated to visitors and those with no history of visitation. Minimize oil and other pollution in breeding and foraging areas as this could have significant consequences for a sedentary inshore forager like the gentoo. Terrestrial protections for Gentoo Penguins should include the protection of breeding habitat and the minimization of colony disturbance during the breeding season. In the Antarctic, visitor site guidelines already specify minimum approach distances of 5 meters and off-limit areas.

Understanding and mitigating disease incidence or transfer, including in relation to climate anomalies such as El Niño, should be pursued. Investigate the eradication of invasive mice at Marion Island, as well as as investigate the impacts of non-native species at the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

Best practice guidelines for reducing risk of disease outbreaks at islands are being developed by the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. Once available, these guidelines should be implemented.

The impact of any proposed fishery on the prey of Gentoo Penguins should be carefully assessed before such a fishery is allowed. Consideration should be given to declaring marine protected areas at important feeding grounds of gentoo penguins.