Join CapeNature and SANCCOB for an unforgettable day at the annual Penguin Palooza on Saturday, October 26, 2024! Set in the beautiful Stony Point Nature Reserve, this free event starts at 10:00 and is dedicated to raising awareness about the Endangered African Penguin. This year, the event will see two lucky people win the opportunity to release a penguin back into the wild. The public is encouraged to enter this incredible competition and will need to enter on the day of the event. Entries will close 30 minutes prior to the release. 

The African Penguin is a species of penguin confined to southern African waters. Like all penguins, it is flightless, with a streamlined body and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine habitat. Penguin Palooza offers the public the rare opportunity to see the release of these birds and showcases the collaborative environmental efforts of conservation entities. 

With less than 8 750 breeding pairs left along the South African coastline, the African Penguin faces a critical decline of 8% annually. If this downward trend continues, the species is projected to become extinct in the wild by 2035. The major causes of this decline include limited food availability, pollution, climate change, oil spills and predation. CapeNature, in partnership with SANCCOB, is working tirelessly to rehabilitate ill or injured penguins and hand-rear abandoned eggs and chicks for release back into the wild, to combat this alarming loss. Stony Point is one of the few remaining key colonies where these efforts are focused. 

Dr Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature, highlights the urgent need to act on the declining African Penguin population, “If we do not collectively work together to ensure the survival of these seabirds, we may soon face a future where these penguins will no longer be found in their natural habitats. Our work would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of our partners like SANCCOB, and together, we are leading the efforts to conserve the African Penguin.” 

Natalie Maskell, CEO of SANCCOB, proudly highlights the long-standing partnership with CapeNature, which has played a key role in seabird conservation for decades. “The growing strength of this collaboration has led to thousands of seabirds being saved, with a special focus on the Endangered African Penguin. Through dedicated rangers stationed at critical breeding colonies, including Stony Point, SANCCOB continues to monitor, rescue, and rehabilitate seabirds, ensuring these vulnerable species receive the care they need to thrive.” 

Events like Penguin Palooza inspire awareness, encourage collective action to address the challenges facing our marine ecosystems and ensure a brighter future for these remarkable species. So, bring your family and friends for a day of fun, education, and making a difference for our marine wildlife!