Animal Keeper's Association of Africa

2 October 2010

The equivalent of 90 penguins per week have died since 1956.  90% of the population has disappeared in the last 100 years.  And the plummeting numbers show no signs of reversing.  Thus, they have been declared endangered.   

This species is only found on the Southern African Coastline.  There may be none left in the wild in as little as 15 years.

What can you do?
Support SANCCOB.  This is their initiative.  Encourage your zoo or aquarium to create awareness for this species.  Support the SASSI initiative— which is only eating sustainable sea food.  Visit their website to learn more—www.wwfsassi.co.za.  Support organisations and initiatives that encourage marine protected areas—for example the Oceanographic Research Institute. Reduce, reuse and recycle.  Find out more about SANCCOB’s “last straw” campaign.  Don’t use cleaning products that are harmful to the environment — even land locked cities products ultimately end up in the sea.  Never give up hope — keep at it.  Carpool—use public transport if you can — don't drive unnecessarily.  Create awareness — Tell everyone!

It does not only have to be on Penguin Awareness day that you try and create awareness for the plight of these birds.  And it does not only have to be at work!!!  Sea World staff and friends all got together, designed t-shirts and did the Spar Ladies 10km with the objective of increasing awareness.  Interesting antics were all a partof the day, like lying prone on the ground in front of reporters.  Whatever it takes.  The staff have decided that any event such as this can be platform to generate this type of awareness.  Why not?  We get fit and the birds will hopefully get a second chance.  See you in the races—cycling, running, paddling, canoeing and sky jumping.