African penguins are a national treasure, endemic to the south western coast of South Africa and Namibia. The best place to see them is at Boulders Beach in Cape Town, which is the only urban breeding site for penguins, worldwide.
The fact that they’ve taken to a habitat on the fringes of the city, says a lot about how much their range has diminished and how fragile their situation really is.
African penguin numbers have been in decline since the turn of the century and they were awarded endangered status in 2005. Now the alarm bells are ringing louder than ever before for these enigmatic birds.
Steps to Save the African Penguins
SANParks, SANCOBB, the University of Cape Town and Birdlife South Africa are currently working together to monitor the ecology and movement of penguins in the hope that they can wrest this bird from the brink of extinction.
By monitoring their movements, these organizations hope to put protective measures in place against potential threats. African penguins have been severely affected by food shortages due to global warming and over-fishing, causing them to venture further away from their nesting sites in search of food.
However, the Simon’s town colony seems to be coping well with changes in their environment which is most likely due to the marine-protected status of False Bay. The Boulders Bay penguin colony is at particular risk from human encroachment.
As a result, the Department of Environmental Affairs has declared new marine-protected areas around Robben Island and Algoa Bay’s Bird Island. Only time will tell if it isn’t already too late.
Environmentalists are also trying to lure the penguins to a new, safer breeding colony at De Hoop, where fish supplies are more plentiful.
Why are Penguins Important?
- *Penguins have been around for 61 million years judging from fossils found near New Zealand’s Waipara River.
- *There are only 17 species of penguin worldwide and five of them are endangered.
- *Only one species of penguin, the Galapagos penguin lives above the equator.
- *These flightless birds are extremely athletic. Some species can jump up to 9 ft. into the air, others can dive to depths of 1 700 feet, and some can swim at 22 miles per hour.
- *Penguins in cooler climates have adapted so that the colder the temperature is, the warmer they feel.
- *African penguins have a pink patch around their eyes which contains a gland that helps keep them cool. Galapagos penguins have evolved with more exposed skin than other penguins, so they can cope with their warm climate.
- *Penguins are monogamous during the breeding season, and same-sex couples often incubate abandoned eggs and raise the resulting chicks.
It’s easy to see how the world would be a little less interesting without these beautiful, unique creatures.
You Can Help
If you would like to do something to help the African penguin, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds has several programs in place to help the penguins.
Alternatively, you can visit any one of South Africa’s wonderful SANParks-run nature reserves during your southern African safari.
The conservation fees from your visit will be used to help the African penguins as well as the many other species that fall under the protection of this organization.
