18 species of penguins waddle the planet. Over half of them are endangered. The African penguin is considered one of the most vulnerable. OCEAN conservation holds the key to their survival.
The ocean's feathered friends
African penguins are key to ocean ecosystems located around the southwestern coast of Africa and nearby islands. They live together in large colonies, and are commonly called the Jackass penguin because of the loud donkey-like noise they make. African penguins may be the tiniest of the penguin species; but their swimming skills are akin to that of an Olympian. Their ability to hold their breath for approximately 5 minutes comes in handy as they spend most of their time in the water hunting anchovies, horse mackerel, and other small fish. African penguins are essential for keeping our OCEANS in balance.
African penguins stuck in the thick of an ocean crisis
65% of the African penguin population has declined since 1989. If this continues, African penguins are predicted to go functionally extinct by 2035. Ocean pollution and overfishing are to blame for putting these penguins in peril. South Africa produces 2 million tons of plastic waste annually; which composes 2% of total ocean pollution. It is expected that nearly every species of seabird will be accidentally consuming plastic by 2050. Support for initiatives like Ocean Conservancy's Trash Free Seas, which has been working for the past 10 years to curb plastic pollution; is imperative for the future of vulnerable seabirds like the African penguin.
Commercial overfishing has drastically diminished fish stocks, causing African penguins to go hungry. To combat this, the South African government introduced a plan to ban fishing near key African penguin colonies for 10 years starting early 2024. Additional support for programs to reduce overfishing and bycatch, like Ocean Conservancy's, will aid in keeping both penguins and OCEANS healthy.
Want to help? Donating through VAKOVAKO ensures 100% of your contributions go to organizations saving penguins and our vital seas.
