NEWS, CAPE TOWN, January 20th, 2025: Without immediate government action, the African Penguin, an iconic symbol of South Africa, could vanish from the wild by 2035. Uplisted to Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in late 2024, the African Penguin is the first penguin species [of the 18 globally] to meet the criteria for this classification.
Despite the urgent need for action, almost two-thirds [64%] of South Africans are oblivious that the African Penguin is Critically Endangered, while one in five [19%] admit they have no idea that the species could disappear in the next decade without intervention.
Data from the same poll of 2,000 South Africans, commissioned by Blue Marine, reveals a stark wake-up call for those in power. A huge 82% of the sampled population would swing their vote for a party/politician that prioritises environmental causes such as the protection of endangered wildlife.
Additionally, almost half of respondents [49%] firmly believe the national government bears primary responsibility for protecting endangered species. A further one in five [19%] put the onus on the provincial and local government.
A critical moment for conservation leadership
The African Penguin population has plummeted by 97%, with breeding pairs at record lows of less than 10,000.
Faced with numerous threats, a primary cause of the African Penguin’s decline is a lack of available food due to competition from commercial fishing around its breeding colonies, which impacts the species’ survival and breeding success. While there are existing no-take zones where commercial fishing is prohibited to help the penguins better access the sardines and anchovies they feed on, research by seabird scientists has demonstrated that these zones are currently inadequate for penguin conservation.
The survey results come as The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds [SANCCOB] and BirdLife South Africa continue legal action to enforce greater protection of the species. Launched by the Biodiversity Law Centre in 2024, the two non-profit organisations have instituted a case against the office of the South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, to challenge the Minister’s “biologically meaningless” island closures to purse-seine fishing around key African Penguin colonies.
“Without timely and meaningful intervention, we are facing the complete extinction of Africa’s only penguin species,” said Nicky Stander, Head of Conservation at SANCCOB. “The government has the power to reverse this tragic trend, but it must act now.”
South Africans demand accountability
Blue Marine’s study also highlights a strong belief in human responsibility for the crisis: 53% of those polled attribute the African Penguin’s decline to human activities, such as overfishing and pollution.
Public sentiment around the emotional and economic impact of losing the species is also clear. Over 60% said they would feel devastated by the extinction of the flightless bird, and an almost equal number [59%] stated it would harm tourism. These findings are echoed in a recent socio-economic report that determined the total tourism value of all penguin colonies is estimated to be in the considerable range of R613 – R2702 million per year.
Further, more than half of respondents [54%] claim the extinction of the species would damage the country’s international reputation as a leader in wildlife conservation.
“These iconic birds face imminent extinction unless we understand that humans are not the only species who rely on the ocean for food. Together with the South African Government, we can save the African Penguins from starvation through the creation of effective no-take areas that will protect their vital habitats. A simple yet effective measure that will avert yet another natural catastrophe,” said Clare Brook, CEO of Blue Marine.
An urgent call for action
In light of the poll results, the international community can help push the South African government to enact the changes needed to safeguard the species by signing the OnlyOne petition, which has already received 27.6K global signatures.
“The availability of sardine and anchovy is the key driver of the African Penguin population and the sustainable management of purse-seine fishing, such as the implementation of effective no-take zones around the last remaining large colonies, is a critical intervention to help conserve this species,” added Alistair McInnes, Seabird Conservation Programme Manager, BirdLife South Africa “South Africans care deeply about their natural heritage and want their leaders to act.”