Latest news with #AfricanPenguin
Time Out
12-05-2025
- General
- Time Out
Cape Town dog owners urged to be careful around penguins
'Irresponsible dog walkers add to the demise of the Critically Endangered African Penguin!' That's the headline of an urgent appeal by the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), requesting that those who walk their dogs near colonies of seabirds take more care to ensure the safety of these precious creatures. Over the past few years, a number of incidents have been documented of off-leash dogs attacking penguins and other seabirds, resulting in serious injury, trauma and sometimes death. The worst incident of the lot took place in 2022 in Simon's Town, where two dogs from nearby homes attacked and killed 19 African Penguins. It was a truly devastating time for conservation efforts. In a recent statement released by SANCCOB, the importance of controlling your dogs around seabirds was once again driven home, with the non-profit organisation calling any such attacks an "owner problem", not a 'dog problem'. "One of the main challenges with mainland seabird colonies is the additional threats posed by humans and land-based predators, including domestic dogs. In past years, African Penguins have been attacked by unleashed dogs resulting in severe trauma and even death. This is not a 'dog problem', it is an owner problem who disregards by-laws and dog-owner responsibility," SANCCOB insists. "The African Penguin's rapidly declining population has been well-documented, owing to the numerous and complex threats facing the iconic species. We are in a race against time to conserve the species and prevent their impending extinction; stakeholders are working tirelessly to mitigate threats to African Penguins, but we need the public to play their part, too. "We urge dog-owners to be responsible when walking their best fur-friends near seabird colonies." What to do if you see an injured seabird If you come across an injured seabird, please contact SANCCOB on 021 557 6155 during working hours and on 078 638 3731 after hours and on weekends. SANCCOB is a 24-hour Seabird Rescue Centre. SANCCOB advises that you always approach an injured seabird with caution, as species such as gannets and penguins have sharp beaks which could cause you harm. 'Have with you a towel or blanket and wear protection over your hands and eyes. Gently throw the towel or blanket over the bird to catch it, ensuring that the bird is able to breathe. Place the bird in a large box if you have one, after first ensuring that there are holes for air. Keep the bird in a warm quiet place until help arrives,' SANCCOB explains. How to support SANCCOB click here.
The Citizen
26-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
The fight to save the penguins
SANParks manages three of the last remaining colonies of penguins in South Africa. African Penguins walk on the beach at the Boulders penguin colony, which is a popular tourist destination, in Simon's Town, near in Cape Town, on November 1, 2024. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has changed the African Penguin from Endangered to Critically Endangered. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) Managing the last remaining colonies of penguins in the country, the SA National Parks (SANParks) has committed to wage a concerted effort to stabilise and increase the species population. In marking World Penguin Day on Friday, SANParks said it wanted to grow and preserve the iconic seabird for future generations, steering it away from being on the brink of extinction. The special day is celebrated annually on 25 April to highlight the unique characteristics and conservation challenges faced by the penguin species globally. SANParks manages three of the last remaining colonies of penguins in South Africa. Two of these, consisting of about 3 000 breeding pairs, are found in the Addo Elephant National Park Marine Protected Area, at the St Croix and Bird Islands. According to SANParks head of communications JP Louw, the biodiversity management plan (BMP) for African penguins has ensured 'a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders, including conservation NGOS (non-governmental organisations) and government agencies like the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE)'. Louw said the Spheniscus demersus was among African penguins, native to the southern and southwestern coasts of the continent 'currently standing out due to the significant conservation efforts currently underway to protect it'. No-fishing zones 'In a landmark development last month, the DFFE, South African conservationists and fishing industry groups, agreed to establish no-fishing zones around six major African penguin breeding colonies. 'SANParks, as a lead colony manager, plays a crucial role in managing penguin populations at key breeding sites. 'The BMP includes habitat restoration, installation and monitoring of artificial nest structures and managing predation in the colonies. 'Joint initiatives also focus on penguin monitoring, including tracking population dynamics, assessing breeding success, and rehabilitating injured or sick birds.,' said Louw. He said efforts were 'further supported by public awareness campaigns, promoting sustainable practices among local communities and tourists'. No mining in national parks Meanwhile, Louw said SANParks has 'taken note of reports related to Kropz Elandsfontein (Pty) Limited, requesting to explore the possibility of de-proclamation of a portion of land that is part of the West Coast National Park'. 'SANParks cannot allow any mining activities within a declared national park, as this is prohibited under section 48(1)(a) of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 57 of 2003. 'We have communicated this official position to Kropz and other relevant stakeholders,' he said.
The Star
25-04-2025
- General
- The Star
It's World Penguin Day
World Penguin Day on 25 April 2025 is a particularly auspicious event for the African Penguin. One of 18 penguin species across the globe, the African Penguin has the dubious distinction of being the most endangered. As the only penguin species in Africa, and only found in South Africa and Namibia, it would be a particularly poor reflection on our ability to protect this iconic species if it were the first penguin in the world to go extinct in the wild. At the current rate of population decline, African Penguins have only about 10 years left. However, it's the first World Penguin Day that is being celebrated after a significant conservation milestone, achieved earlier this year, that gives the African Penguin a glimmer of hope. Light on the horizon As those who have been following recent developments in the news may be aware, African Penguins were recently thrown a lifeline in the form of a Court Order enforcing reconfigured no-take zones around six key colonies along the South African coast. The zones overlap with the core foraging grounds for African Penguins, which prey primarily on sardines and anchovies. The aim is to reduce competition with the commercial fisheries that also target the same resource. Since 21 March 2025, these no-take zones have been stipulated in the conditions of the 'purse seine' fishing permits. The netting of masses of these small pelagic fish is now prohibited in the vicinity of Dassen Island, Robben Island, Dyer Island, Stony Point, and St Croix and Bird Islands in Algoa Bay. The prohibition will be in place for 10 years, and although there are no guarantees that this intervention will reverse the freefall of the African Penguin population, it will give them a fighting chance to recover. One step at a time Determining whether the no-take zones are significant in the African Penguins' struggle for survival depends on close and constant monitoring. BirdLife South Africa and its partners, which include SANCCOB, are using an Automated Penguin Monitoring System (APMS) at the most important penguin colonies. These comprise cleverly engineered weighbridges which are remotely monitored. Years of experience working in penguin colonies allows researchers to determine where penguins are most likely to launch from their island or shore-based habitat, and this knowledge has guided the location and installation of digital weighbridges (disguised as stepping stones) along the penguins' route from land to water and back. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader in the weighbridge identifies individual penguins through microchips (Passive Integrated Transmitter tags) inserted harmlessly under a penguin's skin on their leg. The resultant data allows BirdLife South Africa's scientists to monitor the penguins' weight before and after their fishing excursions. This provides valuable data on the weight of individual penguins, but the weights of untagged penguins are also useful in calculating the average weight of penguins in the colony. Weight data indicates whether the penguins are managing to find sufficient food to sustain themselves and their chicks, who depend on their parents for sustenance. 'Weight' for it! A wonderful advantage of the APMS is that the public can observe the penguins as they set out on their foraging trips. Cameras at one of the four colonies where the monitoring systems are operating provide live feeds to the Penguin Alert website. In addition to enjoying the sight of these delightful birds as they hop-skip-jump, or just waddle their way to their fishing grounds, penguin enthusiasts can also learn more about this fascinating species. The website provides key facts and information, plots the weights of the birds, and shows the trends of weight gain and loss, which is more than your average scale at the gym can do! Happy World Penguin Day! * BirdLife South Africa is a registered non-profit, public benefit organisation dedicated to bird conservation in South Africa.
IOL News
24-04-2025
- General
- IOL News
It's World Penguin Day
As the first World Penguin Day is celebrated after a significant conservation milestone achieved earlier this year, the African Penguin has a glimmer of hope. As the first World Penguin Day is celebrated after a significant conservation milestone achieved earlier this year, the African Penguin has a glimmer of hope. As the first World Penguin Day is celebrated after a significant conservation milestone achieved earlier this year, the African Penguin has a glimmer of hope. As the first World Penguin Day is celebrated after a significant conservation milestone achieved earlier this year, the African Penguin has a glimmer of hope. As the first World Penguin Day is celebrated after a significant conservation milestone achieved earlier this year, the African Penguin has a glimmer of hope. As the first World Penguin Day is celebrated after a significant conservation milestone achieved earlier this year, the African Penguin has a glimmer of hope. World Penguin Day on 25 April 2025 is a particularly auspicious event for the African Penguin. One of 18 penguin species across the globe, the African Penguin has the dubious distinction of being the most endangered. As the only penguin species in Africa, and only found in South Africa and Namibia, it would be a particularly poor reflection on our ability to protect this iconic species if it were the first penguin in the world to go extinct in the wild. At the current rate of population decline, African Penguins have only about 10 years left. However, it's the first World Penguin Day that is being celebrated after a significant conservation milestone, achieved earlier this year, that gives the African Penguin a glimmer of hope. Light on the horizon As those who have been following recent developments in the news may be aware, African Penguins were recently thrown a lifeline in the form of a Court Order enforcing reconfigured no-take zones around six key colonies along the South African coast. The zones overlap with the core foraging grounds for African Penguins, which prey primarily on sardines and anchovies. The aim is to reduce competition with the commercial fisheries that also target the same resource. Since 21 March 2025, these no-take zones have been stipulated in the conditions of the 'purse seine' fishing permits. The netting of masses of these small pelagic fish is now prohibited in the vicinity of Dassen Island, Robben Island, Dyer Island, Stony Point, and St Croix and Bird Islands in Algoa Bay. The prohibition will be in place for 10 years, and although there are no guarantees that this intervention will reverse the freefall of the African Penguin population, it will give them a fighting chance to recover. One step at a time Determining whether the no-take zones are significant in the African Penguins' struggle for survival depends on close and constant monitoring. BirdLife South Africa and its partners, which include SANCCOB, are using an Automated Penguin Monitoring System (APMS) at the most important penguin colonies. These comprise cleverly engineered weighbridges which are remotely monitored. Years of experience working in penguin colonies allows researchers to determine where penguins are most likely to launch from their island or shore-based habitat, and this knowledge has guided the location and installation of digital weighbridges (disguised as stepping stones) along the penguins' route from land to water and back. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader in the weighbridge identifies individual penguins through microchips (Passive Integrated Transmitter tags) inserted harmlessly under a penguin's skin on their leg. The resultant data allows BirdLife South Africa's scientists to monitor the penguins' weight before and after their fishing excursions. This provides valuable data on the weight of individual penguins, but the weights of untagged penguins are also useful in calculating the average weight of penguins in the colony. Weight data indicates whether the penguins are managing to find sufficient food to sustain themselves and their chicks, who depend on their parents for sustenance. 'Weight' for it! A wonderful advantage of the APMS is that the public can observe the penguins as they set out on their foraging trips. Cameras at one of the four colonies where the monitoring systems are operating provide live feeds to the Penguin Alert website. In addition to enjoying the sight of these delightful birds as they hop-skip-jump, or just waddle their way to their fishing grounds, penguin enthusiasts can also learn more about this fascinating species. The website provides key facts and information, plots the weights of the birds, and shows the trends of weight gain and loss, which is more than your average scale at the gym can do! Happy World Penguin Day! * BirdLife South Africa is a registered non-profit, public benefit organisation dedicated to bird conservation in South Africa.
CBS News
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Maryland Zoo welcomes surprise giraffe birth
The Maryland Zoo has welcomed a special spring surprise. Their newest giraffe unexpectedly gave birth to a female calf. Zookeepers say when the 4-year-old mom Kipi arrived in November , they didn't know she was pregnant. They said the giraffe had a change in her behavior on March 26 and, lo and behold, she gave birth the next day. Zookeepers say giraffes usually don't show when they're pregnant because of their larger body size. The baby is healthy, and Kipi is a great first-time mother. Zoo officials said visitors were able to see Kipi starting Jan. 17 inside the Giraffe House. The Maryland Zoo mourned the loss of a 6-year-old giraffe named Willow in March 2023 after she experienced a sharp decline in her appetite and unexpectedly died a few days later. Willow was born at the zoo in 2017. At the time she was the first giraffe calf to be born at the zoo in over 20 years. She was born to female, Juma, and male Caesar, who still lives in the Giraffe House at the zoo. The Maryland Zoo welcomed several new animals in 2024, including adorable opossums Moose and Salmon, a baby chimpanzee named Ivy and a northern ground hornbill chick named Rwenzori. The zoo also said goodbye to Mr. Greedy, a beloved African Penguin who helped to rebuild the species' population in zoos across North America. Mr. Greedy was the oldest penguin at the zoo at 33 years old, surpassing the average penguin lifespan of 18 years. He lived to see five generations of his offspring. He was survived by Mrs. Greedy, a female penguin that he mated with when they arrived at the zoo in 1992.
