I arrived at Muizenberg beach around 09h10 only to find that the group of over 150 waddlers have started the final leg of the 4 day long walk. I caught up with them in no time and had a great time helping to spread awareness about the plight of the African Penguin.
In 1910 there were an estimated 1.5 million birds and at last count less than 60 000 birds remain. Between the years 2005 - 2010 the African Blackfooted Penguin population halved. Since June 2010 the African Blackfooted penguin has been listed as an endangered.
CONSERVATION FACTS
Given an annual rate of decline of about 2% per year, there is considerable concern about the long-term viability of African Penguins in the wild. Presently more than ever before, zoos and aquariums are the Noah’s ark for this species.
The African penguin population is currently less than 5% of the original population and still declining rapidly, with an 80% decline since the 1950s, and a 60% decline in the past decade. As a result, it has been classified as ENDANGERED by the IUCN, and is listed in Appendix II of CITES and the Bonn Convention for the conservation of migratory species.
The Minimum Viable Global Population is estimated to be 50 000 pairs; the current population is less than half of this critical threshold.
Statistics are frightening. On Dassen Island, averaged over the last 100 years, the collapse of the African Penguin population represents the equivalent of losing 1600 birds a week, or more than 2 birds per hour.
The causes of this precipitous decline are numerous, and mainly human-induced.
The highlight was the penguin pictures drawn by Grade 1 pupils from Fish Hoek Primary School that was exhibited on Main Road in Simon's Town. It was such a refreshing way to realise that everyone no matter age can play a part in raising awareness about issues that they are passionate about.
In 1910 there were an estimated 1.5 million birds and at last count less than 60 000 birds remain. Between the years 2005 - 2010 the African Blackfooted Penguin population halved. Since June 2010 the African Blackfooted penguin has been listed as an endangered.
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Given an annual rate of decline of about 2% per year, there is considerable concern about the long-term viability of African Penguins in the wild. Presently more than ever before, zoos and aquariums are the Noah’s ark for this species.
The African penguin population is currently less than 5% of the original population and still declining rapidly, with an 80% decline since the 1950s, and a 60% decline in the past decade. As a result, it has been classified as ENDANGERED by the IUCN, and is listed in Appendix II of CITES and the Bonn Convention for the conservation of migratory species.
The Minimum Viable Global Population is estimated to be 50 000 pairs; the current population is less than half of this critical threshold.
Statistics are frightening. On Dassen Island, averaged over the last 100 years, the collapse of the African Penguin population represents the equivalent of losing 1600 birds a week, or more than 2 birds per hour.
The causes of this precipitous decline are numerous, and mainly human-induced.
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| Working my way to Simon's Town with some of my colleagues |
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