CapeNature and the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) hosted the annual Penguin Palooza on Saturday, 26 November 2022. This free event was dedicated to bringing attention to and creating awareness of the endangered African penguin species and the collaborative conservation efforts of the two entities.

CapeNature and SANCCOB have successfully undertaken proactive measures at the colony to reverse the decline of the African penguin species. One such measure is the employment of an assistant Marine Ranger based at Stony Point to monitor birds in the wild, contribute to research activities, and to intervene with seabirds in distress when necessary.

According to Dr Razeena Omar, CEO: CapeNature, “The rate of decline of this species is alarming but our conservation efforts may ensure the survival of these birds. The most recent census reveals that the Stony Point penguin colony holds an estimated 1 565 of the10 000 breeding pairs of African penguins found countrywide. Conservation efforts extend to protect other species such as the endangered Cape and bank cormorants, of which 1 384 and 46 breeding pairs can be found at the same site, respectively. CapeNature and SANCCOB remain committed to the success of its partnership and the conservation of these species”.

“Partnering with CapeNature strengthens our ability to manage the conservation of the African penguin effectively and strategically at the Stony Point penguin colony. At present, 381 penguin chicks are being hand-reared at SANCCOB because they have been abandoned by their parents during the annual moult period and most have been rescued due to the vigilance of the ranger and CapeNature staff. This event was the seventh annual celebration since initiated in 2016 and we look forward to further developing our conservation work with CapeNature,” says Natalie Maskell, SANCCOB’s Chief Executive Officer.

Unfortunately, the release of rehabilitated African penguins could not form part of this year’s event as positive cases of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed in African penguins undergoing rehabilitation at the SANCCOB Cape Town centre in Table View.