9 minute read
Environment - The African Penguin
On The Brink of Extinction
By Shumirai Chimombe
The African Penguin, with its distinctive black-and-white tuxedo and playful nature, is a cherished symbol in South Africa and around the world. Yet despite its popularity, in late 2024 the species was uplisted to Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, meaning that it is one step away from becoming extinct in the wild.
According to a statement by the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) and BirdLife South Africa, it is the first penguin species of the 18 existing globally to meet the criteria for this classification. It has declined in population by 97% over the last century with breeding pairs at record lows of less than 10,000. Due to factors such as overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change, the species is on the brink of vanishing within the next 10 years by 2035 if current trends persist.
What makes this species so unique is that it can only be found on the southern African coast. The African Penguin Socio Economic Report (September 2024) indicates that the species has declined from an estimated 0.5-1 million breeding pairs in the early 1900s to approximately 42 500 counted in 1991, and 8324 in 2023. The remaining birds are mostly found in just seven colonies in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa.
A recent study by the Blue Marine Foundation, a charity dedicated to addressing overfishing to restore the ocean’s health, has revealed that despite the need for urgent action, almost two-thirds (64%) of South Africans are oblivious that the African Penguin is critically endangered, while one in five (19%) admit they have no idea that the species could disappear in the next decade without intervention.
Data from the same poll of 2000 South Africans which was collected in January 2025 indicates that 53% of those polled attribute the African penguin’s decline to human activities, such as overfishing and pollution. Over 60% said they would feel devastated by the extinction of the flightless bird, and an almost equal number (59%) stated it would harm tourism. In addition, more than half of respondents (54%) claim the extinction of the species would damage the country’s international reputation as a leader in wildlife conservation.
Threats To The African Penguin Livelihood
According to SANCCOB, the African Penguin’s existence is faced with numerous threats. A primary cause of the African Penguin’s decline is a lack of available food due to climate change, which is made worse by competition from commercial fishing around its breeding colonies, primarily sardines and anchovies which is their main source of sustenance. This has a major effect on the species’ survival and breeding success.
“The availability of sardines and anchovy is the key driver of the African Penguin population and the sustainable management of purse-seine fishing, (the use of large nets to target dense schools of midwater fish), such as the implementation of effective no-take zones around the last remaining large colonies, is a critical intervention to help conserve this species. If we don’t act timeously we could lose Africa’s only penguin species within our lifetime.” said Alistair McInnes, Seabird Conservation Programme Manager, BirdLife South Africa.
Although there are existing notake zones where commercial fishing is prohibited to help the penguins to better access the sardines and anchovies they feed on, research by seabird scientists has shown that these zones are not enough for penguin conservation. “These iconic birds face imminent extinction unless we understand that humans are not the only species who rely on the ocean for food. Together with the South African Government, we can save the African Penguins from starvation through the creation of effective no-take areas that will protect their vital habitats. A simple yet effective measure that will avert yet another natural catastrophe,” said Clare Brook, CEO of Blue Marine.
A Valuable Ecotourism and Economic Contributor
The African Penguin SocioEconomic report was commissioned by the Endangered Wildlife Trust in collaboration with the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. The study aimed to provide an assessment of the value of the African penguin in South Africa to decision-makers at all levels of government, conservation organisations and other stakeholders involved in policy decisions around African penguins.
Among other benefits, the study highlighted the value of the penguins to tourism as well as shining a spotlight on the importance of conservation. Tourists visiting penguin colonies generate revenues for the park authorities and for a range of tourism-related businesses, all of which generate knock-on effects in the economy.
The total tourism value of all the penguin colonies, including Boulders, Stony Point, Dassen Island, Bird Island, Robben Island, Dyer Island, and St Croix Island, was estimated to be in the range of R613 to 2702 million in 2023.
Penguins also star in advertisements for Cape Town and films and documentaries such as Penguin Town, and they have not only entertained but also raised awareness about penguin conservation issues. The direct media related value of the penguin colonies was estimated to be almost R2.9 million per year.
“Successfully conserving the African penguins is not a one agency issue but requires big systemic changes. Ultimately, improved management and policy is going to be the answer: an ecosystem approach to fisheries is needed and ocean health needs to be better managed”, concluded the study
Some Important Testimonials About The African Penguin Crisis
Nicky Stander, Head of Conservation, SANCCOB: “Seeing a 97% loss in African Penguin populations is devastating and knowing they are now officially ‘Critically Endangered’ is a sobering thought. In just over a decade, they could no longer exist, which not only has an impact on our marine ecosystem, but also on South Africa’s economy and ecotourism. These animals are a key indicator of the wider ecological health of our ocean and are beloved worldwide. We cannot wait any longer for change.”
Dr Richard Sherley, Senior Lecturer, Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter: “The African Penguin’s uplisting to Critically Endangered highlights a much bigger problem with the health of our environment. Despite being well-known and studied, these penguins are still facing extinction, showing just how severe the damage to our ecosystems has become. If a species as iconic as the African Penguin is struggling to survive, it raises the question of how many other species are disappearing without us even noticing. We need to act now - not just for penguins, but to protect the broader biodiversity that is crucial for the planet’s future.”
Jo Coumbe, Communications Director, Blue Marine: “The plight of the African Penguin, now critically endangered, is heartbreaking. Losing the bird isn’t just about losing a species, it’s a stark warning of the tragic impacts on biodiversity and the health of our ocean.”
The seven largest colonies in South Africa which are home to more than 95% of the remaining global population of African penguins. These are listed in order from the west to east, with the first five in the Western Cape, and the last two in the Eastern Cape. Populations are as of 2023 (DFFE (unpublished), 2024)
Dassen Island: managed by Cape Nature, the island holds 2037 breeding pairs, which is about 25% of the African penguin population. It is a nature reserve and not open to the public; visitors are only allowed on the island if they have a permit and may only walk on the road between the Dassen Island lighthouse and the buildings at Huisbaai conservation.
Robben Island has 931 breeding pairs which is equivalent to around 11% of the remaining population. Robben Island is a South African National Heritage Site and World Heritage Site. The conservation aspect of the island is managed by SANParks.
Boulders penguin colony has 845 breeding pairs, or about 10% of the remaining population. It has become world famous as a viewing site. Boulders falls under Table Mountain National Park and features three beaches, one penguin viewing area and three boardwalks. It is managed by SANParks.
Stony Point is home to approximately 1200 breeding pairs which is around 15% of the remaining population. The nature reserve is situated in the coastal town of Betty’s Bay on an old whaling station site where visitors can view the penguins from a boardwalk that traverses the colony. The reserve is managed by CapeNature.
Dyer Island is a 20-hectare nature reserve, situated 8.5 km from Gansbaai and is home to around 693 penguin breeding pairs, or 8% of the remaining population. It is the easternmost of the chain of seabird islands of the Western Cape and it is managed by CapeNature. Tour operators offer boat-based trips to see the penguins and other marine life around the island, however given its sensitivity as a breeding locality for numerous threatened seabird species the actual island is not open to the public.
St Croix Island is one of three rocky islands situated off the mouth of the Coega River in Algoa Bay and is home to 712 breeding pairs (9% of the remaining population). The reserve is not open to the public and was established as a breeding ground for the African penguin. It is managed by SANParks and private tour operators offer whale, dolphin and penguin viewing around the island.
Bird Island is part of a group of four islands in Algoa Bay and is an important breeding place for marine bird species, including 1722 African penguins (21% of the total population). Bird Island, together with St. Croix Island was proclaimed as part of Addo Elephant National Park in 2005, managed by SANParks.
Source: An Assessment of the Value of Penguins (African Penguin Socio Economic Report) (September 2024)
What Can You Do to Stop The Extinction of Our Penguins?
Contact the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) Website: https://sanccob.co.za/
