The African Penguin is one of South Africa’s greatest treasures – one that is at risk of disappearing. Endemic to the southern coast of Africa, these spectacular seabirds have experienced an alarming drop in numbers over the past century. Up to over 90% of the population has been lost. Driven By Nature Foundation recognised the dire situation they face by partnering with Dyer Island Nature Reserve’s African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary to spread awareness on this critical point in history. Dyer Island is a 20-hectare reserve located near Gansbaai and home to a variety of marine life, including over 600 breeding pairs of African Penguins – about 8% of the remaining population. The African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary ensures the conservation and rehabilitation of a variety of seabird species and is one of the largest centres for African Penguins in South Africa. We had a mission: to bring attention to the urgent cause of the African Penguin and showcase the hard work being done to save its future. Follow along as we take a journey down the coast.
Short Film with Dyer Island Nature Reserve
In November of 2024, our team travelled to the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary for a dusk-to-dawn film shoot of the facility. Our film set out to showcase their unique behaviours and interactions in their natural habitat to contextualise the threats they face. We wanted to show the importance of their existence and the conservation efforts that protect this critically endangered species. Driving on winding mountain roads, past ocean waves, we made the 2-hour journey from our HQ to the rehabilitation centre. When we arrived, we were greeted by the sanctuary team and introduced to their facility. Opened in 2015, the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary provides temporary care to injured, sick, oiled, and abandoned marine birds with a focus on the African Penguin. According to Dyer Island Conservation Trust, ‘rehabilitation is a reactive but important intervention. Every single penguin saved through rehabilitation contributes to the conservation effort to prevent the extinction of the African Penguin.’
We captured the beauty and fragility of an ocean ecosystem, diving into the challenges faced by the staff as they worked to protect this special species and its habitat. With interviews from Xolani Lawu, the senior bird rehabilitator; Wilfred Chivell, founder of Dyer Island Conservation Trust and Martine Viljoen, a scientist and marine conservationist, we captured concerns about the African Penguin and its precarious future. Our team learnt about their efforts to relocate penguin chicks to protect the young while they grow, and the addition of makeshift burrows called ‘penguin penthouses’ to solve housing and nesting issues. The sanctuary operates on years of expertise, research, and dedication to these endangered seabirds. Our videographer and internal team were thoroughly impressed with their expertise and careful handling of the penguins – not to mention the beauty of the seabirds themselves. Through this project, we learnt about the ocean’s critical ecosystem and its inhabitants; how they come together to form a web of life.The final short film was a result of hard work by our team and captivating stories on our subject. Available on our YouTube channel, it addresses the reason for African penguins’ population decline and the battle being fought against it.
A Critical Moment in the Conservation of African Penguins
The African penguin is at risk of extinction in the wild within the next decade. Amidst the endless efforts to save this species, modern development and consumer demand have continued. In 2024, the African penguin reached critically endangered status on the IUCN Red List. As we discovered through the making of our film, the most common threat to African penguins is a lack of food. Their diet, consisting mainly of sardines and anchovies, has been threatened by commercial overfishing and climate change. Without enough nourishment, penguins struggle to sustain themselves and their offspring, which has led to a rapid decline in their population. The future of the African Penguin is uncertain. Without committed government and social action, there will be challenges to protecting these remarkable birds.There is still hope in us, the people who care deeply about our country’s wildlife. We’ve been given guidance on how to help – now it’s up to us to come together and create change.
How to Make a Difference
From small choices to big changes, there are many ways you can help the African Penguin’s case. Here are a few:
1. Reduce Plastic Use
Plastic pollution is a major threat to all marine life. Reduce single-use plastics, recycle when necessary, and participate in or support beach cleanups!
2. Limit Resource Consumption
General environmental efforts, such as conserving water and electricity, can help reduce habitat destruction and mitigate climate change – both of which can affect the African Penguin.
3. Support Sustainable Seafood
Stay away from buying fish that penguins rely on, like sardines and anchovies. Choose sustainably sourced seafood to reduce overfishing and keep the penguins’ food safe! Look for certifications like MSC or download the SASSI app.
4. Volunteer with or Donate to Conservation Organisations
Organisations like SANCCOB and BirdLife SA work directly with African penguins and their habitats. Supporting these groups either financially or with your time can be personally fulfilling and inspire others.
5. Learn About and Respect Coastal Wildlife
Be curious about marine species and learn more about them. If you visit beaches where penguins or other wildlife live, keep your distance, avoid feeding them, and don’t disturb any nesting sites. African penguins need safe habitats to reproduce!
6. Raise Awareness
Share your thoughts and facts on the African penguin with your friends, family and followers to spread the word on their situation and how to help. Just sharing information can be the first step to inspiring others.
7. Symbolic Adoptions
Some conservation organisations offer symbolic adoptions of an African penguin or a penguin egg. These adoptions fund conservation projects that support their rehabilitation.
8. Advocate for Climate Action
Climate change affects the entire ecosystem, ocean temperatures, penguin habitats and food sources. Push for policy reform that combats climate change and supports long-term dedication to penguins and their homes.
While the rapid decline in African Penguins may appear bleak, there is still hope for the future. If we join forces to support their recovery, we can reverse our human impact and protect our coasts.
