Why are we waddling for the African penguin?

6 October, 2024 - Not On Our Watch, Conservation, Campaigns, Events, Foundation, Blog

On African Penguin Awareness Day, we will be waddling for the African penguin. Why? Because this charismatic seabird is threatened with extinction, and we need to act now.

Cape Town is synonymous with the iconic African penguin – they are one of the most recognisable features of the Western Cape coastline. Not only are they the only penguin species found on the African continent, but they are also an incredible eco-tourism drawcard! Unfortunately, estimates state that their species will be functionally extinct by 2035.

Why are African penguins going extinct?

African penguins are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species, and their numbers are being pushed to breaking point.

The most pressing issue facing African penguins today is overfishing. The distribution of African penguins’ chief prey species (small pelagic fish such as anchovies and sardines) has shifted due to the pressures of commercial fisheries. This has resulted in significant food shortages for the penguins. Consequently, they are forced into direct competition with said fisheries.

Further dangers to the African penguin populations are posed by the expansion of harbours and increased ship traffic, as many colonies are based near existing or planned shipping routes or ports. This expansion goes hand-in-hand with the higher risk of oil spills and marine noise pollution.

Historically, African penguin eggs and guano were harvested to the point of collapse. African penguins burrow into the substrate to make nests, so harvesting left them with scant nesting grounds. Although this practice is no longer allowed, the continued lack of nesting habitat is a concern as it leaves eggs and chicks vulnerable to predation.

Currently, faced with overfishing, predation, pollution, habitat loss, disease, extreme weather events, and other human interventions, South Africa’s African penguin population needs all the help they can get.

So, what can we do to help?

Join our Waddle on Saturday, 12 October 2024!

In support of the African Penguin #NotOnOurWatch 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.

Other simple ways to help the African penguin:

Email your encouragement to South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George.
Follow #NOOW on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Share your love for penguins on social media using the hashtags #AfricanPenguin #NOOW.
Please contact info@africanpenguins.org if you would like to be involved in the #NOOW campaign.

As long as we are dedicated to affecting positive change and raising awareness, the African penguin has a brighter future! So, waddle you waiting for?