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Table Mountain National Park
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Saving the Endangered African Penguin at Boulders
Reasons for population decline
- Heat stress (global warming, mid summer days – Temperatures higher than 34°C.
- Increased nest abandonment and chick death.
- High Rainfall – nest flooding, chick drowning.
- Increased pelagic fishing industry = reduced availability of food.
- Limited mortality to penguins caught in nets.
- Limited mortality to penguins and seals – shot at sea by fisherman – exact number unknown- enforcement and education are important.
- Competition with other predators – seals and sharks.
- Human interference and disturbance (direct interactions, tourism impacts – boardwalks, Burgers Walk).
- Egg loss due to predators – kelp gulls, mongoose, snakes.
- Chick loss due to predators – mongoose, otter, cats, genet, leopards.
- Adult death due to predators – seals, sharks, dogs etc.
- Loss of Habitat: Competition for breeding space.
- Marine Disturbances: Alternating regimes of high and low abundance of Sardine and Anchovy worldwide, including the Benguela system.
- Pollution impacts the mortality of penguins such as oil, diesel, or chemicals spillages.
- Catastrophic events (e.g. fire at colonies such at Stony Point, Boulders).
- Injuries / Mortality due to motor vehicles.
- Deformities impacting on breeding and feeding.
- Penguins do contract diseases.
Purchase a Penguin Nest Box and help preserve these beautiful creatures!
Have a question? Why not ask at the forums?
