The African penguin, formerly known as the Jackass penguin, is the only penguin species that breeds in Africa. They can be found habitating rocky ocean islands and are known for being monogamous. Sadly this captivating bird is facing a serious population decline and is currently an endangered species and faces extinction in a number of years unless drastic action is taken. It is currently more endangered than the white rhino or cape vulture.
The African penguin is one of the most recognisable species of penguin, with their distinct ‘tuxedo-looking’ appearance. Adult penguins weigh between two and five kilograms and have a height of around fifty centimeters. They normally eat around three hundred grams of fish daily and as much as one kilogram of fish when molting. They are often referred to as Jackass penguins due to the fact that they sound like a donkey braying. Mating season is between February and August, with this species only laying one or two eggs a year. The largest colonies in Southern Africa can be found in St Croix near Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Boulders Beach (Simons Town) and Robben Island (Cape Town).
The African penguin’s population has declined by 95% since the early 1900s, with only 13,300 breeding pairs remaining in the wild. The main reasons for this decline are : overfishing, habitat loss, climate change, and oil spills. The African penguin feeds on small fish, such as anchovies and sardines, which are becoming scarce due to overfishing. Habitat loss is also a significant issue, as the African penguin’s breeding sites are being destroyed by human activities such as coastal development, human harvesting of penguin eggs for food and guano scraping. Guano, is a preferred nesting substrate for the penguins when nesting. Climate change, resulting in warming ocean temperatures, causes penguins to seek out alternative and cooler habitats. Oil spills are also a major threat to the African penguin, as they can cause the birds to become saturated and unable to regulate their body temperature. The most recent oil spill in Algoa Bay (Gqeberha) was in May 2022. Luckily the local penguin colony was not affected, thanks to the quick action of the local authorities.
Government Assistance
To address these issues, the South African government has implemented several conservation strategies. This includes creating a ten year ban on fishing around sixty identified African penguin nesting colony sites and preventing illegal hunting through enforcement actions and public education campaigns about responsible behavior when visiting colonies, as well as cleaning up oiled birds after large scale incidents occur such as oil spills.
SANCCOB
The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), runs a centre near Tableview in Cape Town, that is responsible for rescuing and rehabilitating oiled penguins from oil spills as well as treating any injured african penguins. SANCCOB is the most successful sea bird rescue institute in the world and is funded largely by membership. They also conduct research and provide public education about the african penguin.
Two Oceans Aquarium – Cape Town
The Two Oceans Aquarium supports the ᷾#NOOW Campaign (Not On Our Watch), which was founded on 1 December 2013. On 14 October 2023, The Two Oceans Aquarium held a waterfront waddle from their premises to the V & A Waterfront. The aim was to show support and raise awareness of the plight of the african penguin. The three kilometer waddle saw participants wear black and white clothing and carry signs reflecting their support for the cause. A second waddle was also held in Simons Town.
African penguins are essential for ecotourism in Southern Africa, where tourists are able to closely observe their behaviour in their natural environment. More needs to be done to ensure the survival of this iconic bird species.
Update: 31 January 2024 : SA Navy carry out underwater explosions near penguin colony.
On Wednesday 31st January,2024 the South African Navy were responsible for underwater explosions as part of a diver training program in False Bay. This training took place close to Boulders Beach, where one of the main African Penguin colonies tend to nest.While the sound of the explosions isn’t amplified under water, it can travel faster in water than it does in the atmosphere. Possible environmental damage is still to be determined.
False Bay residents could feel around five explosions from inside their dwellings, which left windows rattling. The SA Navy went ahead with explosives training in the False Bay despite protests and an eventual agreement, three days earlier. The minister of Defence and Military Veterans (Thandi Modise) and the minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (Barbara Creecy) had earlier agreed to move the divers explosive training outside of the marine protected area.
The Great African Seaforest, which has only recently been recognised as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, lies on the edge of False Bay.The Great African Seaforest is the only forest of bamboo kelp on earth. Until recently, False Bay has been visited by Southern Right Whales, Bryde’s Whales and Dusky Dolphins which draw numerous ecotourists to the region.
False Bay has become very vulnerable over the years, with many changes, from overfishing to pollution. As a result, the Bay has become vulnerable with species of reef fish and commercial fish on the decline. These dwindling fish numbers now leave the penguin colonies vulnerable with their already declining numbers.
WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) have pointed out that the Navy’s explosive exercises may well go against certain international laws and treaties that South Africa are signatories to. The City of Cape Town would prefer the exercises be removed from the current site, while many other groups, including the Two Oceans Aquarium, WESSA, Extinction Rebellion, BirdLife SA, the Green Connection, the Democratic Alliance and others have called for an environmental impact assessments to be conducted.
Hope at the end of the tunnel?
Opposition from the False Bay/ Simon’s Town community, civil society groups, ocean groups and environmental non-profit movements, could have yielded a major win against the South African Navy’s explosive training excercises. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment announces that the training excercises had to be moved outside the Simon’s Town Marine Protected Area. Let’s hope they stick to their promise this time around. (6 February 2024)
Good article. Wasn’t aware of the kelp forest being a wonder of the world.