Help Save African Penguins From Extinction

'Heavy Seas' © Dan Callister/Penguins & Sharks

The African penguin is fighting for survival and is at risk of going extinct in the wild within the next ten years. Recent studies show that current conservation measures are not enough to ensure their future. With an estimated population of less than 10,000 breeding pairs these endangered birds are struggling due to a shortage of their primary food source. Sardine and anchovy stocks are dwindling as a result of commercial purse-seine fishing and the adverse effects of climate change. Food deprivation and starvation is contributing to a dramatic decline in numbers. 

We call on the South African government to:

• Establish effective no-take zones around the six key African Penguin colonies, where commercial purse-seine fishing for anchovy and sardine occurs, to help ensure that there is enough prey to sustain the species.

• Adequately enforce existing marine pollution regulations and close legal loopholes that currently enable pollution, including noise pollution, to interfere with penguin breeding.

Please consider signing this petition https://only.one/act/save-african-penguins