Iconic and charismatic, African penguins have declined in numbers by over 98% in the last century. At their current rate of demise, they could be extinct by 2035.

Credit: APSS

Once abundant along their native coast of Southern Africa, the African penguin has declined to just 2% of its original population size, placing it on the brink of demise.

Today, we are asking for your urgent help in protecting the surviving breeding pairs in Gansbaai, South Africa, which are critical to the survival of the species and the health of our oceans at large.

Credit: APSS

The steep decline in African penguin populations is deeply alarming. Penguins are dying at a truly terrifying rate.

Human-driven activities, like overfishing, are obliterating African penguin populations. A horrific, unexpected side effect of overfishing means that seals lose their food sources, so they attack penguins in an attempt to reach the semi-digested fish in their bellies. Surviving penguins are left with horrific injuries and often succumb to these.

Deadly coating of tanker oil; certain death without rescue.

Credit: APSS

Fishing net entanglement, as penguins hunt for food, further affects their numbers. Oil spills, marine pollution and degradation are other major threats.

The African penguin population in Southern Africa is in deep, deep trouble; we have a plan to help bolster their populations along with our partner, the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) in Gansbaai.

APSS works to protect the remaining 1,000 breeding pairs on South Africa’s Dyer Island – a critical breeding ground along the coast and one that has seen its penguin population drop from 26,000 breeding pairs in 1979 to just 1,000 today.

Credit: APSS

Most adult females lay a maximum of two eggs per breeding season, and only one-third of all hatched chicks survive to reach their breeding age – which takes three to six years. This underscores the importance of protecting every penguin we can.

Out of 18 global penguin species, the African penguin has been identified as one of three requiring urgent conservation intervention.

Because it is human activity that has disrupted penguin populations, it is critical that we help intervene and save as many as possible.

Deadly coating of tanker oil; certain death without rescue.

Credit: APSS

Our partner regularly rescues injured penguins, chicks and other seabird species who would otherwise have no chance of survival. Once successfully rehabilitated, they are released back onto Dyer Island. This rescue, treat and release program has seen Dyer Island’s penguin population stabilize and remain that way for the past three years.

Credit: APSS

With your help, human threats to penguins, like fishing net entanglement, can be monitored by the expert team, and swift intervention can occur when a penguin is in trouble.

Rescued penguins have 89.5% survival rate if they are given the right treatment and care. We really need your help today to save every penguin we can.

There is a small emergency rehabilitation center on Dyer Island where emaciated, injured, and sick birds can be immediately cared for and undergo basic surgical operations. There is also a desalination plant used to hydrate penguins with purified water – a literal life-saver for many seabirds.

Credit: APSS

But this machine needs urgent maintenance and will not function for much longer. Without it, birds are almost guaranteed to perish after surviving all they have endured on the island.

If we can raise $7,000 (roughly £5,513), we can repair and refurbish the desalination plant and ensure the team has every piece of equipment they need to save lives. Because of Dyer Island’s remote location and the region’s unpredictable water conditions, trips to the mainland are infrequent, which means the Dyer Island clinic MUST be fully prepared to handle any penguin illness or injury they need to.

Credit: APSS

The situation for the African penguin species is critical. Please support our critical rehabilitation efforts by donating now.

The situation for African penguins is dire; now is the time for action. It is imperative that we take every step necessary to save every penguin life we can – so please donate generously right now.