On the southern coast of Africa, more than 60,000 penguins died of starvation due to a sharp decline in sardines. According to The Guardian, a scientific study suggests that this tragedy is rooted in global climate change and the increasing fishing.
In 2004-2012, the number of penguins in the most important breeding regions of South Africa - the Dassen and Robben Islands - decreased by more than 95%. Overall, the African penguin population has declined by almost 80 percent over the past 30 years.
The flowering period is the most dangerous time
According to scientists, penguins are dying of hunger mainly during molting. The feather renewal period lasts approximately 21 days, during which they cannot enter the water. Therefore, they must fatten up well before molting, otherwise survival is difficult.
The main food is disappearing
Since 2004, the main food of penguins - Sardineops sagax sardines - has dropped to only 25% of the maximum. Changes in water temperature and salinity have limited fish reproduction. Nevertheless, fishing in the region remains high.
In 2024, African penguins were designated as a "highly endangered species." Currently, the number of reproductive pairs is less than 10,000.
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