Waddle for the African penguin: Join us on 12 October

29 September, 2024 - Events, Campaigns, Not On Our Watch, Press Releases

In just 100 years, African penguin numbers have dwindled from over 1.5 million to fewer than 10 000 pairs today. Their situation is dire, and while many incredible organisations work to ensure their survival, the African penguin still needs public support to ensure that it receives the needed policies and protections to avoid extinction. There is hope for the African penguin, but only if we jointly say "NOT ON OUR WATCH" - the time for action is now.

In support of this campaign, the Two Oceans Aquarium, SANCCOB, CapeRADD and I AM WATER invite the community to join us on 12 October 2024, African Penguin Awareness Day, for a "waddle" from Muizenberg to Simon's Town (with a shorter route option too for those with kids or who cannot walk the full distance) to show support and generate awareness and call on our leaders to #RememberThePenguins.

Waddling is free to anyone who wants to participate!

Waddle details:

Attendees – please show your support by wearing black and white clothing and carrying signs that reflect your support of this campaign. We want our voices heard!

Date: Saturday 12 October 2024
Full route (16km): Meet at Surfer's Corner, Muizenberg at 08h30.
Short route (approx. 4km): Meet at Long Beach, Simon's Town at 11h30.
Finish: Both routes will meet up and pass Boulders Beach, ending at Water's Edge, Simon's Town at approx. 13h00.
Come prepared: Dress in black and white. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Remember to bring water (in reusable water bottles) and some snacks for fuel in reusable bags – please, no plastic.
Get creative: Craft your own signs to create awareness, use these fantastic placards.
Prizes: Plenty of spot prizes for attendees (as well as the "best-dressed" waddler)

PLEASE RSVP HERE

African penguins are facing extinction (but it's not inevitable)

The #NOOW Not On Our Watch campaign raises awareness for the plight of African penguins. African penguins are the only penguin species found on the African continent. Unfortunately, their numbers have declined dramatically in the last century – current estimates suggest that there are a mere ~8 750 breeding pairs in the wild today (a 16% decline in just one year, from 2022 to 2023). If their numbers continue to decline at their current rate, these charismatic birds will be functionally extinct in the wild within 15 to 20 years.

One of the biggest threats to African penguins is food availability. These birds rely on small fish, like anchovies and sardines, for food. However, overfishing has decimated fish stocks and penguins struggle to find sufficient food for themselves and their chicks. Furthermore, climate change has significantly altered the marine ecosystem causing biodiversity and habitat loss. So, adult penguins must swim further than ever from their nesting grounds to find food. This compromises the health of their chicks and the adults themselves.

This is not the only threat facing South Africa’s African penguin population, with predation by marine and terrestrial animals, pollution, noise disturbance, habitat loss, disease, and other human interventions contributing to their continued decline.

Immediate and ongoing action is needed to ensure the survival of this species, so we area calling on waddlers to #RememberThePenguins and encourage our leaders and policy-makers to do so too.