A South African court has ruled in favour of protecting the endangered African penguins, barring commercial fishing around key breeding colonies for at least a decade. Watch in for more details!

South African court halts fishing for 10 years to protect African penguins

<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

African Penguin population on a decline

<p>The African Penguin Festival showcases a unique species of penguins that is found nowhere else in the planet. There are about 24 known colonies of these penguins all around South Africa.</p>

<p>Conservation and rehabilitation of the species is critical to ensure its survival, given that its population has declined from 5 million in the 1930s to merely 60,000 today.</p>

<p>On the African Penguin Awareness Day, these rehabilitated penguins were released into the wild to ensure the survival of their species.</p>

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Urgent action is needed to save the species, given that its numbers have shrunk rapidly over decades

The African Penguin Festival showcases a unique species of penguins that is found nowhere else in the planet. There are about 24 known colonies of these penguins all around South Africa. Conservation and rehabilitation of the species is critical to ensure its survival, given that its population has declined from 5 million in the 1930s to merely 60,000 today. On the African Penguin Awareness Day, these rehabilitated penguins were released into the wild to ensure the survival of their species.

Video: These penguins are only found in Africa

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South African court halts fishing for 10 years to protect African penguins

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

African Penguin population on a decline

Video: These penguins are only found in Africa