credit: Jaymi Heimbuch
The outlook for African penguins in the wild may not be
positive but—in at least one breeding program—a budding love is offering
hope for the species.
After months of effort, Sinclair, a female African penguin at the California Academy of Sciences, in San Francisco—is starting to show signs of a connection with a new mate.
After months of effort, Sinclair, a female African penguin at the California Academy of Sciences, in San Francisco—is starting to show signs of a connection with a new mate.
credit: Jaymi Heimbuch
As a result of egg and guano harvesting, oil spill
pollution, and the impact of commercial fishing on prey sources, the
status of the African penguin underwent a dramatic decline in the 20th
century. The population of the species in the wild, which breeds in
South Africa and Namibia, is estimated at less than 10 percent of the
1.5 million individuals that existed in 1910.
African penguins mate for life after forming a strong pair bond. In this case, Sinclair and her prospective mate—a male African penguin named Agulhas—have been bonded with other birds before, but both appear open to a second chance at "love."
In early January, for example, Sinclair was taken to the Animal Health Department for a physical. As soon as she was removed from the pen she and Agulhas started calling to each other.
credit: Jaymi Heimbuch
This precarious situation in the wild makes captive
breeding programs essential for the perpetuation of the species. One
such program is the Species Survival Plan breeding program at the California Academy of Sciences in California.
credit: California Academy of Sciences
Recently, Sinclair—the female penguin in the
foreground—joined the established population at the Academy. She was the
first addition to the group since the population moved to the Academy's new building.
credit: California Academy of Sciences
To Sinclair join her new group, Academy biologists have
been doing what's referred to as "pair bonding." Simply, this is an
attempt at matchmaking. African penguins mate for life after forming a strong pair bond. In this case, Sinclair and her prospective mate—a male African penguin named Agulhas—have been bonded with other birds before, but both appear open to a second chance at "love."
credit: California Academy of Sciences
Pair bonding can happen quickly with African penguins but
for Sinclair and Agulhas it has been a drawn-out process. Recently,
however, there have been strong signs that the bonding is working. In early January, for example, Sinclair was taken to the Animal Health Department for a physical. As soon as she was removed from the pen she and Agulhas started calling to each other.
credit: California Academy of Sciences
Upon returning from her physical, Sinclair immediately
ran into the nest-box that she shares with Agulhas. He followed and she
bowed and shook her head to him—all good signs that a bond is forming
between the pair.
credit: California Academy of Sciences
This story of penguin love is cute, but essential for the
species survival. Experts have recommended that the California Academy
of Sciences and other participating institutions breed pairs of African
penguins in 2012.
credit: California Academy of Sciences
To emphasize the importance of the penguin breeding program, the California Academy of Sciences hosts a Valentine-making event each year. Fans of the penguins are invited to come to the aquarium and make a card for their favorite penguin.
source
credit: California Academy of Sciences
It's an adorable image but one that carries a serious
message: African penguins, like many other species around the world,
could reach extinction within a human lifetime. Since human activity is
the cause of so many of their problems, it is the least we can do to
show them some love in return.source
No comments:
Post a Comment