African penguins, listed ‘endangered’, seek peace, food

African penguins, listed ‘endangered’, seek peace, food

Sub: Env

Sec: Species in news

Context

• Rangers capture penguins and then the captured penguins are sent to the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) for medical care.

Critical Decline of African Penguins:

• Population Status:
  • Listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
  • Fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs remain globally, down from 42,500 in 1991.
  • Risk of extinction in the wild by 2035, according to BirdLife NGO.
• Main Threats:
  • Lack of food (mainly sardines and anchovies) leading to abandoned breeding.
  • Other threats include climate change, oil spills, predators, disease, and disturbances.

Conservation Measures:

• Fishing Ban: A 10-year commercial fishing ban around six penguin colonies started in January 2024:
  • Conservationists argue the ban zones are insufficient and have filed a lawsuit for larger no-fishing areas.
  • Fishing industry representatives claim their impact on penguin food sources is minimal.
• Other Initiatives:
  • Artificial nests and efforts to establish new colonies.
  • Proposed government discussion groups to address the issues, with a court hearing set for March 2025.

Tourism and Public Awareness:

• Impact of “Critically Endangered” Status:
  • Increased awareness could bring funding but also boosts tourist activity, potentially disturbing the penguins.
  • Tourists with selfie sticks and excessive close interactions pose challenges to penguin well-being.
• Economic Role: Penguin tourism contributes millions of dollars annually to South Africa’s economy.

African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus)

Physical Features:

• Medium-sized, flightless seabird with black and white plumage and distinctive black spots on the chest.
• Also known as the “jackass penguin” due to its donkey-like braying call.

Habitat:

• Found along the southwestern coast of Africa.
• Primary habitats: Offshore islands and coastal areas in South Africa and Namibia.

Diet:

• Feeds mainly on small fish like sardines and anchovies.
• Also consumes squid and crustaceans.

Breeding and Behaviour:

• Breeds in burrows, under rocks, or in vegetation to protect from predators and the sun.
• Monogamous, often returning to the same mate and nesting site every year.
• Both parents share incubation duties and chick-rearing.

Population Status:

• Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2023):
  • Fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs remain globally.
  • Population declined from 42,500 pairs in 1991.
  • At risk of extinction in the wild by 2035.

Threats:

• Food Scarcity: Decreasing fish stocks (sardines, anchovies) due to overfishing and climate change.
• Climate Change: Impacts on ocean temperatures and fish distribution.
• Predators: Seals, sharks, and land predators like cats and dogs.
• Human Activity: Habitat disturbance from tourism, oil spills, and industrial activities.
• Disease: Outbreaks affecting penguin health and reproduction.

Significance:

• Ecosystem Indicator: Health of penguin populations reflects marine ecosystem conditions.
• Tourism Value: Major attraction, contributing to local economies.
• Global Symbol of Conservation: Highlighting the need for sustainable practices to protect marine biodiversity.