Tuesday, December 29, 2015

African penguins under threat from DOGS

More than 40 birds were killed by pets on beaches in South Africa last year

  • More than 40 penguins were killed in South Africa this year by dogs
  • Protective measures are now in place in Burgher's Walk, Simon's Town
  • These include requiring leashes for all dogs in the area 
  • Authorities also recently increased patrols in penguin nesting areas
African penguins struggle to find food at sea, contributing to a sharp drop in numbers over the years. 

But the endangered animals also face a shore-based threat in South Africa - pet dogs.

More than 40 penguins were killed this year by one or more dogs, and authorities recently increased patrols in a penguin nesting area where people often take their dogs for a walk. 

African penguins (stock image) struggle to find food at sea, contributing to a sharp drop in numbers over the years. But the endangered animals also face a shore-based threat in South Africa - pet dogs. More than 40 penguins were killed this year by one or more dogs, and authorities are increasing patrols in the region
African penguins (stock image) struggle to find food at sea, contributing to a sharp drop in numbers over the years. But the endangered animals also face a shore-based threat in South Africa - pet dogs. More than 40 penguins were killed this year by one or more dogs, and authorities are increasing patrols in the region

Protective measures have been put in place along Burgher's Walk in Simon's Town, Cape Town officials have said. 

These include requiring leashes for all dogs in the area. Full-time patrols will continue until the end of January.
Authorities will try to find the right balance between protecting penguins in the urban district while at the same time 'not over-regulating human recreation in the area,' city councilor Johan van der Merwe explained. 

The decline of the African penguin increased around 2004 with a southern shift in anchovies and sardines away from the hub of penguin colonies along South Africa's Atlantic coast, reducing the penguins' ability to get food, according to experts. 

Protective measures have been put in place along Burgher's Walk in Simon's Town, Cape Town (pictured) officials have said. These include requiring leashes for all dogs in the area. Full-time patrols will continue until the end of January
Protective measures have been put in place along Burgher's Walk in Simon's Town, Cape Town (pictured) officials have said. These include requiring leashes for all dogs in the area. Full-time patrols will continue until the end of January

Scientists are unsure why the fish moved, considering climate change and overfishing as some of the possible causes. 

ADELIE PENGUINS ARE THRIVING 

Although numbers of the African penguin are falling, a separate species of bird in East Antarctica are thriving. 

The population of Adélie penguins has increased 135-fold over the past 14,000 years, despite the decrease of ice in the region.

Experts believe this is due to the fact that as glaciers retreat, the number of potential breeding sites for the birds increases.

At the start of the 1990s, it was estimated there were 3 million African penguins in the wild. 

By 2004 there were just 58,000 breeding pairs. 

Today there are less than 19,000 breeding pairs of penguins in the world of which approximately 2,120 penguins are found in the Simon’s Town, Boulders area.  

Namibia also hosts the endangered species.

In 2010, the International Union for Conservation of Nature declared the African penguin endangered. 

Although numbers of the African penguin are falling, a separate species of bird in East Antarctica are thriving. 

The population of Adélie penguins has increased 135-fold over the past 14,000 years, despite the decrease of ice in the region.

Experts believe this is due to the fact that as glaciers retreat, the number of potential breeding sites for the birds increases.

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