Food scarcity and habitat decline has seen a drastic fall in numbers of the African Penguin, putting it on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's critically endangered list. Watch this report for more details!

Africa: Critical Food Scarcity Devastates Penguin Colonies

<p>African penguins could go extinct by 2035 if steps are not taken to ensure their survival. According to a report by The Guardian on Friday (August 11), scientists said that by 2035,&nbsp;there will not be enough breeding pairs for the species to continue to survive in the wild. The report said that overfishing and environmental changes in the Indian Ocean have caused the population of&nbsp;fish such as sardines and anchovies to crash, leaving the penguins struggling for food.</p>

<p>African penguins also face the threat of disease, storms, flooding, and pollution, the report added. These&nbsp;penguins are known for their unusual markings and distinctive braying call, and they mostly inhabit islands off the coast of Namibia and South Africa.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Hope for survival</strong></h2>

<p>Despite the threat, there is hope for survival for the African penguins. Speaking to The Guardian,&nbsp;Dr Judy Mann from the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation said, "Gloom is for naysayers and giving up isn’t an option."</p>

<p>Dr Mann, who is the executive of strategic projects at the foundation, added, "If fisheries, the South African government,&nbsp;oil and shipping companies, scientists, conservationists, international allies and the public work together, we can&nbsp;stop African penguin numbers from declining every year."</p>

<h2><strong>Decline in population over last century</strong></h2>

<p>The report said that the population of African penguins has declined dramatically over the last 100 years. In the early 20th century, it is thought that there were probably several million breeding pairs. However, at present, fewer than 11,000 breeding pairs remain.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The penguin is&nbsp;listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation&nbsp;of Nature on its red list of threatened species.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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African penguins could go extinct by 2035 if steps are not taken to ensure their survival. According to a report by The Guardian on Friday (August 11), scientists said that by 2035, there will not be enough breeding pairs for the species to continue to survive in the wild.

African penguins could go extinct by 2035 if steps are not taken to ensure their survival. According to a report by The Guardian on Friday (August 11), scientists said that by 2035, there will not be enough breeding pairs for the species to continue to survive in the wild. The report said that overfishing and environmental changes in the Indian Ocean have caused the population of fish such as sardines and anchovies to crash, leaving the penguins struggling for food. African penguins also face the threat of disease, storms, flooding, and pollution, the report added. These penguins are known for their unusual markings and distinctive braying call, and they mostly inhabit islands off the coast of Namibia and South Africa. Hope for survival Despite the threat, there is hope for survival for the African penguins. Speaking to The Guardian, Dr Judy Mann from the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation said, "Gloom is for naysayers and giving up isn’t an option." Dr Mann, who is the executive of strategic projects at the foundation, added, "If fisheries, the South African government, oil and shipping companies, scientists, conservationists, international allies and the public work together, we can stop African penguin numbers from declining every year." Decline in population over last century The report said that the population of African penguins has declined dramatically over the last 100 years. In the early 20th century, it is thought that there were probably several million breeding pairs. However, at present, fewer than 11,000 breeding pairs remain. The penguin is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature on its red list of threatened species. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

African penguins could go extinct by 2035 if steps not taken to ensure their survival

South African researchers plan to release scores of abandoned, hand-reared African penguin chicks at the Western Cape's De Hoop nature reserve, boosting efforts to start a new breeding colony of the seabirds at risk of extinction.

As African penguin population dwindles, researchers plan new colony

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Africa: Critical Food Scarcity Devastates Penguin Colonies

African penguins could go extinct by 2035 if steps not taken to ensure their survival

As African penguin population dwindles, researchers plan new colony