African Penguins are currently an endangered species. They are in danger and not enough is being done about it. Living in the coastal areas of Africa, any interference to their habitat can be very detrimental. Years of fishing around the Cape (south side of Africa) has had detrimental effects to the population of this species. Their natural habitat are being disrupted by the local people. Every year, the population is slowly but gradually decreasing and these penguins could become extinct if nothing is done.
African Penguins are mostly carnivores or meat-eaters and their diet reflects that. They rely on the fish that are in the sea as their main food source.. By taking them away, fishery companies are effectively removing their main source of food. According to a report done by Birdlife International in the 1950s, there were a reported 150,000 pairs of African Penguins. In 2009, there were only 29,000 pairs left. While the fisheries are a big part of the issue, they are not the only problem that these African Penguins face.
The local people that live within close proximity of these penguins also pose a threat. Some may resort to stealing their precious eggs as a source of food or profit. By doing these harmful actions, their natural habitat is heavily damaged. In addition, their guano, or dried fecal matter is harvested as fertilizer. The farmers in the area see this as a great opportunity to bolster their crops and take their guano without considering the consequences. These penguins rely on their guano when making their nests and keeping their eggs cool. By removing their guano, the local people are effectively putting their eggs in harm's way. This forces the penguins to move and search for new nesting grounds.
African Penguins are endangered and if nothing is done they will be driven closer to extinction. The Department of Environmental Affairs of South Africa needs to see that this issue is damaging their wildlife. Any effect on the penguin's habitat can be life threatening and there needs to be change in order to protect. Let them know that action needs to be taken by signing this petition.
