Penguins!!! In Africa!!! Well, it may come as a surprise to many, but, jackass penguins nest on the rocky shores of Southern Africa. When you go for a walk on Boulders Beach, which is a part of the Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town, you will be meeting these waddling glory. They got their name because of their raucous braying voice. Officially, they are known as Magellanic Penguins or simply African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus).
These birds are about two feet tall and weigh a little over 4 kilos. A strong bond exists between the pairs and the partnership usually lasts a lifetime. They lay at most two eggs at a time. While one parent feeds, the other parent guards the nest. Incubation takes longer than a month. The diet of the Jackass Penguins includes small fish. Their hunting ground is within a few hundred kilometers of the nesting sites. They, in the turn, are hunted by killer whales, fur seals, and sharks.
Threat of Extinction
In 1982, a pair of them appeared on the sand between the large granite boulders. Though their number now stands at around 2000 - 3000, the species is considered vulnerable to extinction. Recently, they have been declared as an endangered species. Overfishing led to the decline of their food supply and that is thought to be the reason for the dwindling of the Jackass Penguin population. Irresponsible tourism and unsustainable guano mining are responsible for the destruction of the bird's habitat and their breeding ground.
Guano is a term not many are familiar with. It is the droopings of the seabirds and is a highly effective fertilizer due to its rich nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium contents. Unfortunately, the paw of human greed did not spare these either, resulting in the ecological degradation and the loss of millions of seabirds. Oil spills are another factor that affects the survival of these penguins.
All is however not lost yet for the African penguins. Boulders Beach is now a part of the Marine Protected Area. This ensures a safe and clean habitat for the seabirds. A few years back, three boardwalks were constructed to accommodate 60,000 tourists who visit the beach each year. These boardwalks wind their way through the dunes and vegetation and not only provide a great view of the beach and the sea but also protect nesting penguins and their chicks. When I visited last, in the early 90s the boardwalk was not there. From time to time, one or two can sometimes be seen walking around in the parking spot.
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