In News:

A recent scientific study reported that over 60,000 African penguins died of starvation between 2004 and 2011 after a sharp collapse in sardine stocks off southern Africa. The die-off was particularly severe around Dassen Island and Robben Island.

About the African Penguin

• Common Name: African Penguin
• Scientific Name:Spheniscus demersus
• One of the 18 penguin species globally
• Among the smallest penguins and strong swimmers
• Flightless, adapted to marine life

Distinctive Features

• Black facial mask and unique black chest-spot patterns (like fingerprints)
• Pink glands above the eyes help regulate body temperature (become pinker when hot)

Habitat & Distribution

• Found along the coasts of Namibia and South Africa
• Lives on sandy beaches and rocky shores, unlike Antarctic penguins
• Usually forages within 40 km of the shore
• Comes ashore for breeding, moulting, and resting

Breeding & Life Cycle

• Traditionally breeds in burrows dug into guano, which protect from heat
• Average lifespan: ~20 years in the wild

Annual Moult (Critical Survival Phase)

• Occurs once a year and lasts about 21 days
• Penguins remain on land and cannot enter the sea to feed
• They must build fat reserves before moulting
• During moult, they can lose nearly 50% of body mass
• After moulting, they need reliable food supply to regain strength

What Caused the Mass Starvation?

The study linked penguin deaths to collapse of sardine populations, their primary prey.

Key Findings

• Nearly 62,000 penguins died between 2004–2011
• Sardine stocks fell to ~25% below peak abundance
• Fishing pressure was extremely high, especially west of Cape Agulhas
• Exploitation rates peaked at 80% in 2006
• Large sardine catches occurred close to penguin colonies, reducing food access

Impact on Penguins

• Birds failed to build fat reserves before moult
• Post-moult weakened condition reduced their ability to catch prey
• Increased mortality due to starvation

Role of Climate Change

• Climate change is altering ocean temperatures and currents
• This affects distribution and availability of sardines
• Combined effect of overfishing + climate change intensifies food scarcity

Conservation Status

• Listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Reclassified from Endangered to Critically Endangered in 2024

Conservation Concerns & Measures Needed

• Need for better fisheries management near penguin foraging areas
• Protection of key feeding grounds
• Long-term recovery of sardine biomass
• International conservation efforts under agreements like the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds Agreement