Despair for local resident after African Penguins listed as ‘Critically Endangered’

AT present, more than 41 000 species of animals are under threat of extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), including the iconic African Penguin.

Last week, the IUCN listed the African Penguin as ‘Critically Endangered’ with estimates suggesting the aquatic bird has already lost 97% of its population and could be extinct by 2035.

Known for its tuxedo-like fur and waddle, African Penguins were initially listed as ‘Threatened’, then uplisted to ‘Endangered’ and now are ‘Critically Endangered’.

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Lead animal behaviourist and principal caregiver of penguins at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research’s (SAAMBR) uShaka Sea World and uMhlanga resident, Kelly de Klerk, spoke to Northglen News about the devastating news.

According to De Klerk, there are around 8 000 breeding pairs left in the wild compared to 25 000 in the last 15 years.

“We now have fewer African Penguins than rhinos in the wild. These charismatic birds are incredible animals, and of the 18 species of penguins around the world, they are the only ones endemic to the Southern African coastline. At SAAMBR uShaka Sea World, we have a colony of 60 birds we look after. Sadly, through a myriad of factors – climate change, habitat loss and overfishing – the penguins are now at risk of being functionally extinct in the wild.

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“What we are seeing is that penguins now go out to sea and spend longer fishing, sometimes travelling up to 200km. Sometimes, they don’t make it back home to nesting grounds, which puts them further at risk from predators. Because they are travelling so much farther, they are using more resources for themselves, so when it comes to regurgitating food for their babies, they have a minimal amount which also affects their breeding. Our goal here at uShaka is to raise awareness of their plight and also celebrate them – and educate the younger generation on their importance to the ecosystem,” she said.

De Klerk said that one of the ways in which people can help out is to adopt a penguin through the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB).

Simply visit www.adopt.sanccob.co.za/get-involved/adopt-a-penguin/ for more information on how to adopt a penguin.

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