PENGUINS “FLY” TO THE USA

On the 13^th February a group of 15 African Penguins headed off from uShaka Sea World in Durban to Orlando Sea World in the USA to bolster the breeding population there. Also known as Jackass Penguins due to their donkey-like bray, these little birds occur only along the Southern African coastline. The decrease in numbers in the wild has alarmed experts in various sectors of society - in 1956 there were 141 000 pairs, and only 36 000 pairs in 2006! It is predicted that the conservation status of this species in South Africa will soon be elevated to “endangered.” In neighbouring Namibia, the numbers make even worse reading – a decrease from 42 000 pairs in 1956 to just 3 000 pairs in 2006!

Experts have been puzzling over the reasons for such a dramatic decline, and suggest that a lack of quality food fish is the major culprit. Whether through fishing pressure or climate change, the shoals of fish are moving further away from the penguin breeding grounds, and fewer birds are able to swim the vast distances to bring food home to their chicks.

So what can be done about this, and how can Southern Africa save a species which occurs nowhere else in the world and is heading for extinction before our very eyes?

Conservationists are teaming up to develop a new strategy to prevent their extinction, and are lending thought to the establishment of new penguin colonies along the Cape coast. In addition to treating and rehabilitating stranded penguins, uShaka Sea World has a thriving breeding colony and the personnel are very excited at the prospect of setting up new penguin colonies. However, one cannot simply release animals or birds into the wild without very careful planning. It is critically important for the experts to first agree on a plan and a method before any such action can be taken and the support and buy-in from the relevant government departments is essential to the success of the programme. The process has begun and he is optimistic that the aquariums of South Africa, together with SANCCOB, will be able to halt the decline of this wonderfully charismatic species, and preserve them in their natural habitat for many generations to come.

The penguins arrived safely in the US on Monday the 15th February and are reportedly doing very well in a US quarantine facility. It is expected they will remain in quarantine for one month before being relocated to their new home at Sea World Orlando.

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