African penguins are the only penguin species that breed on the African continent. Protecting endangered African penguins is critical not only to the penguins but also to the ecosystem and humans. Their population decline from nearly one million breeding pairs in the early 1900s to just 8,324 pairs in 2023 puts them at risk for extinction in the wild by 2035.
Threats to African penguins
African penguins face a perilous future thanks to:
- food shortages
- competition with commercial fisheries for food
- habitat loss
- climate change
- pollution, including plastics
- increased vessel traffic and noise
- predation
- disease
It’s not just about the penguins
African penguins are a significant economic asset, contributing between R613 million and R2.7 billion to the South African economy yearly, and 1046 to 4611 jobs are linked to the seven African penguin colonies. African penguin colonies enhance property values, especially near the Boulder Beach colony in Simon’s Town. Should the African penguin go extinct, livelihoods and human well-being will suffer.
The extinction of the African Penguin would severely damage South Africa’s reputation, both at home and on the global stage. As the legal and moral guardian of this species, South Africa’s inability to protect the African Penguins would mar its image as a leader in natural heritage and environmental conservation. Such a loss would undermine the nation’s international standing, particularly regarding its dedication to biodiversity targets set by the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity.
Impacts on the ecosystem
An ecosystem is a network of life forms within a specific geographic area. It comprises plants, animals, organisms, and even the climate, all of which interact in a symbiotic manner. Each element of an ecosystem is interdependent, either directly or indirectly.
African penguins, serving as indicator species, are sentinels of ocean health. This means the penguin population’s state mirrors the ecosystem’s overall condition. Consequently, the presence, absence, or abundance of African penguins reflects the surrounding environmental conditions and any shifts in stability. Their extinction would trigger far-reaching consequences for the entire ecosystem. For example:
- Hunt in the sea and return to their colonies on land, transferring essential nutrients from terrestrial to marine ecosystems, keeping myriad populations in robust condition.
- Keep the sardine and anchovy populations healthy by feeding on smaller fish or those in poor shape.
- Herd shoals of fish to the surface as they hunt, providing easy feeding opportunities for other seabirds.
Every African penguin counts. #NotBy2035