fbpixel Help Save the Critically Endangered African penguin! - Mission Blue

Help Save the Critically Endangered African penguin!

November 15, 2024

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Featured image: African penguins. Credit: Steve Benjamin.

The beloved black-and-white African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) needs your help! Endemic to the southern African coastline, the African penguin’s population has plummeted from 1.5–3 million individuals in the early 1900s to just over 8,000 breeding pairs in 2023. This dramatic decline is due to overfishing and environmental impacts which has caused populations of fish to crash, leaving the penguins struggling for food. Recently uplisted to Critically Endangered, the African penguin is at risk of becoming functionally extinct in the wild by 2035 unless urgent action is taken now.

The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus). Credit: Steve Benjamin.

How can you help this species in need? Join Mission Blue and become part of the ‘Not on Our Watch (NOOW)‘ campaign, which is appealing to the public and supporting organizations across the globe to raise awareness of the dire situation the species faces. You can send an email to the South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, urging them to take action to protect the African penguins

Click here to make your feelings known and email the Minister.

A group of African penguins. Credit: Steve Benjamin.

Each year, on the 12th of October, people around the globe join forces to celebrate International African Penguin Awareness Day. In the Mission Blue False Bay Hope Spot, South Africa, more than 100 people took to the streets to participate in a 16 km coastal ‘waddle’ to raise awareness and show support for the species. The event was organized by Hope Spot co-champions Two Oceans Aquarium and supported by a number of other local environmental groups, including co-champions CapeRADD, alongside the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) and I AM WATER.

Representatives from Two Oceans Aquarium and CapeRADD flying the Mission Blue flag during the waddle. Credit: Two Oceans Aquarium.

The waddle was attended by members of the public of all ages, with many families joining the event. With a black-and-white dress code, an eclectic array of outfits was on display, accompanied by a selection of banners and signs supporting the penguins. As the group made their way to the famous African penguin colony in Simon’s Town, the energy of the crowd was palpable as they chanted, ‘Save the penguins!’ while waddling.

 

A local family putting in the effort to dress up as penguins. Credit: Two Ocean Aquarium.
The public getting involved with the NOOW campaign. Credit Two Oceans Aquarium.

 

 

 

 

 

The route offered a number of beach break stops where participants had their faces painted with penguins and were given the opportunity to learn more about the species by visiting information stands hosted by a selection of local organizations working in the area to support the penguins. As a reward for their 16 km waddle, participants were treated to a sight of the African penguins in their natural habitat at the local Simon’s Town colony.

The amazing group of waddlers. Credit: Two Oceans Aquarium.

African penguins are an indicator species, meaning that the condition of the penguin population reflects that of the ecosystem. We ask all ocean lovers and ocean advocates to jump on board to help give this charismatic seabird a voice. Join the collective action for their preservation and protection.

Your voice matters, email the minister here to make it count. For the penguins, for the ocean!

UPDATE: 19 March 2025

The Pretoria High Court finalized a settlement on March 18 that will expand fishing closures around key African penguin breeding colonies. This was a difficult and long negotiation to strike a balance for all parties involved, and includes important wins for conservation. 

“We are quite happy that now there are improved closures… [Some of] the closures are now more than three times the extent of the ones that were in place, they’re much more reflective of where the birds actually go to fish, so they’re more likely to actually do the job they were initially intended to do,” shares Dr Alistair McInnes, the seabird conservation programme manager at BirdLife South Africa (BLSA).

Read more about the settlement here.

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71 thoughts on “Help Save the Critically Endangered African penguin!”

  2. “Compassion for animals is intimately connected with goodness of character and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good (hu)man.” ~ Arthur Schopenhauer, German Philosopher

    Reply

  3. Recently uplisted to Critically Endangered, the African penguin is at risk of becoming functionally extinct in the wild by 2035 unless urgent action is taken now. I urge you to take action to protect the African penguins.

    Reply

  5. Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man. – Stewart Udall

    Reply

  6. Please friends, in the name of Mother Nature, protect them. Every specie and being is precious. God knows…

    Reply

  14. Shocked to discover that the African penguin, endemic to the Southern African coastline, was recently up-listed to Critically Endangered, and is at risk of becoming functionally extinct in the wild by 2035 unless urgent action is taken now. I am therefore urging the South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment to take immediate action, before it’s too late. The South African government must surely be aware of the important financial role which Tourism plays in South Africa, therefore the environment and wildlife MUST be protected, as they are a huge part of what attracts people to visit South Africa. It would be insane to let this iconic species drift into extinct.

    Reply

  24. Endemic to the southern African coastline, the African penguin was recently uplisted to Critically Endangered, and is at risk of becoming functionally extinct in the wild by 2035 unless urgent action is taken now. Please the the necessary steps to protect the African penguin.

    Reply

  27. Please do what you can to preserve the African Penguins. So many species are on the brink of extinction. Please do not let them be one of them!

    Reply

  29. Endemic to the southern African coastline, the African penguin was recently uplisted to Critically Endangered, and is at risk of becoming functionally extinct in the wild by 2035 unless urgent action is taken now.

    Reply

  30. Please do ALL you are able to save our beloved Penguins who are having a difficult time right now ( which animal isn’t) THANK YOU!!

    Reply

  37. South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment,

    As you are already aware, African penguins were recently uplisted to Critically Endangered.

    African penguins are an indicator species, meaning that the condition of the penguin population reflects that of the ecosystem. When is it humans that will be on the endangered species list?

    Now is the time to take action for the African penguins’ preservation and protection.
    Do it for your children.

    Reply

  40. The Beloved African Penguin Needs Your Help!

    Endemic to the southern African coastline, the African penguin was recently uplisted to Critically Endangered, and is at risk of becoming functionally extinct in the wild by 2035 unless urgent action is taken now.

    Reply

  41. Please save the endangered African penguins. Raise awareness locally regarding this species and the loss to Africa if action isn’t taken immediately. Talk about it in schools, children will bring the message home. Educate, concern and compassion is a good place to start. Thank you.

    Reply

  42. The beloved black-and-white African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) needs our help! Endemic to the southern African coastline, as you know, the African penguin’s population has plummeted from 1.5–3 million individuals in the early 1900s to just over 8,000 breeding pairs in 2023. This dramatic decline is due to overfishing and environmental impacts which has caused populations of fish to crash, leaving the penguins struggling for food. Recently uplisted to Critically Endangered, the African penguin is at risk of becoming functionally extinct in the wild by 2035 unless urgent action is taken now. We need them to be preserved and protected. Please do everything you can to make sure this lovely animal does not face extinction.

    Reply

  44. The Beloved African Penguin Needs Your Help!

    Endemic to the southern African coastline, the African penguin was recently lifted to Critically Endangered and is at risk of becoming functionally extinct in the wild by 2035 unless urgent action is taken.

    I am urging the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment to take action to protect the African penguins.

    Thank you,

    Louis

    Reply

  45. Deat government of South Africa. As you surely know fish stocks along the southern coast of Africa are declining fast. As a result the African Penguin is facing extinction. I implore you to take action against overfishing, and establish hope spots so fish stocks can rebound.

    Reply

  56. Please, save the critically endangered African Pinguin.
    The decline is dramatic.
    Take action to protection them, it is very urgently.

    Reply

  60. Please make shure the south africain penguins are protected.
    We love south africa.
    We love south african penguins

    Reply

  63. Dear Sir, Please initiate action to protect this beautiful bird. I have not visited South Africa for several years and when I do again I hope this lovely bird will still be on the beach. Thank you for reading my email.

    Reply

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