Who doesn’t love penguins? The African penguin is a joy to behold. It is charismatic, iconic, and graceful in the water while comically clumsy on land; it used to be called a Jackass penguin because it brays like a donkey, and it is a big part of the culture. Now listed as critically endangered, the African penguin is just one step away from extinction in the wild by 2035, which is why we say #NotBy2035.
What happened?
Human harm began in the 1800s when greedy humans stole the African penguin’s guano (we call it bird poop, they called it “white gold”) for fertilizer, leaving African penguins without the material they needed to build their burrows and, therefore, much more vulnerable to predators. African penguin eggs were a delicacy at the time. Rumors have it that they were served in the Titanic, and we know what happened there. Next came climate change, commercial fishing, plastics, human encroachment, and oil spills, leading to a 97% decline in the African penguin population. In addition to the cuteness factor, African penguins create thousands of jobs and bring R613 million to R4.5 billion ($35 million to $259 million) to South Africa from tourists visiting the African penguins.
How we protect critically endangered African penguins from extinction
Since co-founder Kruger du Plessis was raised in South Africa, we have a strong tie to the country. We work with our partners in South Africa to bolster critically endangered African penguin populations in the wild. Our partners’ generous spirits touch us, and we share their excitement about working with the critically endangered (and adorable) African penguins. There’s something magical about working together to save a species from extinction. If we can protect one species, we will leave the world brighter for future generations.
Programs
African Penguin Protection
We directly protect critically endangered African penguins by funding our partners’ needs, including the following:
- bolstering the chick population, rearing abandoned or lost chicks, and incubating eggs—a vital part of the African Penguin Biodiversity Management Plan;
- paying the salary of African penguin rangers;
- rehabilitating injured, ill, or oiled birds;
- funding needed equipment purchases;
- responding to emergencies or time-sensitive needs, and
- equipping African penguin populations with artificial nests
Outreach
We raise awareness in the Global North for our partners and feathered friends in the Global South through outreach efforts via:
- fun and engaging presentations and interviews, both in-person and online;
- event participation;
- social media;
- our newsletter and blog,
- media interview and podcast appearances, and
- advocacy for increased Marine Protection Areas to protect the ecosystem that African penguins need to thrive.
Education
Our educational efforts include the following:
- providing underprivileged students with STEM skills by supporting the three-year DEEP Blue Ambassador training program;
- collaborating with partners to create educational materials for children, adolescents, and adults, and
- working toward establishing a marine and seabird education center in Gansbaai, South Africa.
“KruShan Foundation is doing vital work to address detrimental environmental changes, specifically as affecting African penguins. I cannot do that work myself; however, I can donate funds to do so. In addition, the Foundation is working in a transparent manner (Guidestar-Candid), along with using a high percentage of donations for programs. Its goals align well with my desire to do something to help those in the world now and for generations to come.”
Sherry Moore, Austin, Texas, recurring donor
Impact
When does 1 equal 45? When we help rear an African penguin chick or rehabilitate an injured African penguin, that act has a long-term ripple effect that increases the population of African penguin colonies. Every African penguin counts.
560
+
African penguins fed.
20
+
African penguin families protected with artificial nests.
67
African penguins rehabilitated.
2,800
African penguins protected by the Seabird Ranger whose salary/expenses we fund.
1
Underprivileged student(s) sponsored to learn STEM skills via the three-year DEEP Blue Ambassador training program. More planned for 2025.
97
%
Of donations directly fund programs.
“KruShan Foundation is assisting us to act now, and actively making every cent donated count, benefiting the penguins—not the people who are using the critically endangered status of the African Penguin to earn bigger salaries by pledging for more money to research penguins to extinction!”
Wilfred Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics and Founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust/African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary
Do you have questions or want us to speak to your group or organization? Please get in touch. We love talking about African penguins.
Partners
