Dogs banned from Cape Town beach after penguins killed

2015-08-21

Tammy Petersen, News24

(File) (Shutterstock)

Cape Town - Dogs have temporarily been banned from along Burghers’ Walk to Links Crescent in Simon’s Town after eight endangered African penguins were killed in two days.

Dog walkers have also been urged to keep their pets on leashes and under control when using the area stretching from Links Crescent South to Fisherman’s Beach, the City of Cape Town said in a statement on Friday.

The attacks are understood to have taken place on Wednesday and Thursday.

Nest counts of breeding penguins conducted recently showed that of the 982 nests counted, 109 nests are located just along Burghers’ Walk and the areas immediately south.

Mayoral committee member for energy, environmental and spatial planning Johan van der Merwe said the African penguin is currently listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, with a steady decline in numbers over the past decade.

"The overall population of this species is estimated to be a mere 2.5% of its population level some eight decades ago," he said.

"The Department of Environmental Affairs published the Biodiversity Management Plan for the African penguin in October 2013… and the City therefore has an obligation to put measures in place to protect penguins on City property, especially during the breeding and nesting seasons."

The ban will remain in place until further notice, the City confirmed.

Law Enforcement will monitor this stretch and anyone who sees unaccompanied dogs roaming in the area is urged to phone 021 596 1999.

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