We lose 1 species every hour. Don’t spend this Earth Hour counting down the numbers. Turn an hour into years for the species that most need protecting.

The African penguin population is under severe pressure. Currently classified as endangered, the population in South Africa is in a consistent state of decline. We’ve lost over 95% of the global population and with each season that passes, the population reaches record lows.

They face predation pressure, both at the colonies and at sea.  Cape fur seals are a significant predator in the water and kelp gulls predate on eggs and chicks.  At the mainland colonies, caracal and mongoose are also predators that can have substantial impact on the population. There have also been huge losses of penguins through oiling events. However, climate change and the increase in frequency of extreme weather events impacts the penguins through nest flooding and mortalities through hyper and hypothermia.

The largest threat currently is a reduced availability of their preferred prey, sardine and anchovy.